Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the west coast of South America. The photo was captured by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station while orbiting over the Atacama Desert and Central Andes Mountains near the border of Bolivia, Peru, and Chile.



"Over the Pacific Ocean, marine stratocumulus clouds develop over cold water that rises from the ocean depths as the Peru current (Humboldt current) flows north along the west coast of South America," says NASA. "The coastline is marked by low mountains that are dissected by canyons carved by rivers that flow down the western side of the Andes."



The Atacama Desert receives less than 0.2 inches of rain per year on average. According to NASA, this dry environment provides an ideal setting to conduct Mars analog studies.



"Active and inactive volcanoes comprise the Central Andean Volcanic Arc within the Atacama Desert and Andes Mountains. One of the inactive volcanoes visible in this photo is Bolivia’s Nevado Sajama, which has a maximum elevation of 6,542 meters (21,463 feet). Nevado Sajama and other volcanoes in the region often have glaciers and snow cover due to their high elevation."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&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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The west coast of South America

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Cape Cod peninsula, located in the easternmost portion of Massachusetts. The peninsula extends into the Atlantic Ocean and is a significant feature of the East Coast of the United States.



Cape Cod peninsula is characterized by its beaches, villages, and seafood. It's a popular tourist destination, particularly in the summer months, with people visiting for its beautiful landscapes and unique culture.



Cape Cod consists of 15 towns, including Provincetown, Hyannis, Falmouth, and Chatham. Each town has its own distinctive character and attractions. For example, Provincetown, located at the tip of the peninsula, is known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, while Hyannis is famous as a ferry gateway to the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.



The Cape Cod National Seashore, a national park covering much of the Outer Cape, including the entire east-facing coast, provides opportunities for hiking, biking, and beachgoing.



Historically, Cape Cod was a landmark for early explorers of the Americas. It was among the first places settled by the English in North America in the Pilgrim Fathers' era, and it played a key role in the early history and development of the United States.&nbsp;



Today, the Cape's history is preserved in numerous museums, historic sites, and lighthouses. In addition, a variety of wildlife can be found in the region, such as whales, seals, and many species of birds.



"The variety of ecosystems within Cape Cod National Seashore sustain over 450 species of amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, and mammals, including 32 species that are rare or endangered," says NASA. "One of those species is the American oystercatcher, a large shorebird that uses a knife-like bill to eat shellfish."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Cape Cod peninsula in the northeastern United States

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Amundsen Gulf in northern Canada, where ice is typically covered with ice that is fastened to surrounding coastlines. According to NASA, the breakup of this ice tends to be rapid when the melting season arrives in spring.



"Patches of fast ice remained in the eastern part of the gulf in late May, but summer weather will ultimately clear it away as well. The Amundsen Gulf, the western entrance to the Northwest Passage, is usually ice-free by August," says NASA.



Walt Meier, a senior research scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, said that winds play an important role in the breakup of the ice. He noted that an area of low pressure centered south of the gulf prior to the breakup fueled strong easterly winds and large waves that broke up the ice and sent chunks of it drifting west.&nbsp;



This year's spring breakup occurred earlier than usual, which aligns with the overall trend in the Beaufort Sea region in recent decades, noted NASA.



“Over a period of two decades, the Amundsen Gulf had the highest interannual variability of anywhere across the entire Northwest Canadian Arctic,” said Eleanor Wratten, a researcher at Northumbria University and the lead author of an analysis of decades of MODIS observations of fast ice in the Northwest Canadian Arctic.&nbsp;



“We saw the timing of breakup change considerably from one year to the next, but the general pattern looked similar to what you see here. Ice usually remains in the southern bays the longest, with breakup veering toward the strait in the southeastern portion of the gulf.”



The image was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite on May 30, 2023.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Spring ice breakup in the Amundsen Gulf

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Nova Scotia, where unusually large fires have led to the evacuation of thousands of people. The photograph, which was captured by an astronaut on the International Space Station, shows smoke rising from a fire near the town of Shelburne on May 29, 2023.



"By the morning of May 31, after four days of burning, the fire had scorched 17,000 hectares (66 square miles) near the southern tip of Nova Scotia," says NASA. "It became the largest forest fire in the province’s history, according to CBC Nova Scotia, exceeding the area burned by a fire in Guysborough County over six days in June 1976."



"Fires have burned in Canada for weeks, as the western part of the country experienced a record-breaking streak of hot weather in mid-May."&nbsp;



"Several regions in Canada also had an abnormally dry spring; Nova Scotia received about half of the usual amount of rainfall in April. Authorities classified both the Halifax and Shelburne County fires as uncontrolled on May 31 and expected the fires to grow as dry and windy conditions continued."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Smoke rises from fires in Nova Scotia

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Lake Hamun, a seasonal lake in the Sistan region on the Afghanistan-Iran border. The lake and surrounding wetlands have been shrinking as a result of persistent drought, leading to reduced vegetation and exposed dust. These changes have transformed the basin into a major source of dust storms.



"While dust storms are most common in the summer, they happen year-round as long as the lake is dry and the winds are strong. That was the case on January 12, 2023, when the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 satellite captured this image of dust streaming from the dry lake bed," says NASA.



In January 2023, a team of experts led by UCLA reported that airborne dust has likely increased by 55 percent on a global scale since pre-industrial times. The researchers said this is largely due to more frequent dust storms in Asia and North Africa.&nbsp;



The team estimates that the cooling effect of airborne dust has likely masked about eight percent of the warming caused by greenhouse gases since the preindustrial era.



“Our findings imply that greenhouses gases alone could cause even more climate warming than models currently predict,” said UCLA atmospheric physicist Jasper Kok. “This is of tremendous importance because better predictions can inform better decisions of how to mitigate or adapt to climate change.”



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&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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Lake Hamun is a major source of dust storms

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Typhoon Mawar, also known as "Betty," which is the first typhoon of the season in the northwest Pacific. The intense storm struck Guam and the Philippines before heading toward Taiwan and southern Japan.



"With sustained winds that reached 295 kilometers (185 miles) per hour on May 25, the super typhoon grew to be one of the strongest May storms on record," says NASA.&nbsp;



"The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this natural-color image of Mawar at 05:20 Universal Time on May 30, 2023. Though the storm appeared to be bearing down on Taiwan, it was in the process of turning north and away from the island."



"After rapidly intensifying between May 24 and 25, Mawar then weakened significantly as it encountered cooler water temperatures and less favorable wind shear conditions as it neared Taiwan."



NASA reports that although Mawar did not strike the Philippines or Taiwan directly, the outer bands of the storm brought heavy rains to northern Luzon and rough seas to the eastern coast of Taiwan.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Typhoon Mawar is one of the strongest May storms on record

As you might assume, a new gorilla appearing in the mountains is going to attract some attention. Unsurprisingly, the troop's dominant male noticed the visitor and came over to check it out. Photo Credit: Fodors

Alpha Male

Recently, an increasing number of scientists have argued that animals such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-what-killer-whales-like-to-eat/">whales</a> could actively contribute to the removal of carbon from the atmosphere and thus help mitigate climate change.&nbsp;



However, by reviewing the main ways in which baleen whales (such as humpback whales) remove atmospheric carbon at both regional and global scales, a team of researchers led by <a href="https://www.griffith.edu.au/">Griffith University</a> in Australia has recently found that the amount of potential carbon capture by whales is unfortunately too little to significantly alter the trajectory of climate change.



<h2 id="h-creating-false-hope">Creating false hope</h2>



“Our study supports that whales are important for the marine ecosystem, but their contribution to the global carbon flux is too small to effectively reduce atmospheric carbon. While our research group would very much like to highlight the opposite in order to benefit the conservation of whales and perhaps one day use carbon credits to support research, the debate is misguiding and creates false hope,” said lead author Jan-Olaf Meynecke, a research fellow in Behavioral Ecology at Griffith.



“This is in contrast to media perpetuating whales as climate engineers.&nbsp;Creating false hope in the ability of charismatic species to be climate engineers may act to further delay the urgent behavioral change needed to avert catastrophic climate change impacts, which can in turn have indirect consequences for the recovery of whale populations.”



The ocean carbon cycle is a crucial factor driving global climate, and clarifying how whales and other animals potentially contribute to it is highly important for climate mitigation efforts. According to some scientists, whales can contribute to carbon capture through their biomass in which carbon can be kept for decades (depending on their lifespan), and even after their death, if they sink to the ocean floor and are covered by sediment.&nbsp;



However, as the authors of the current study stress, overstating whales’ ability to prevent or counterbalance anthropogenic changes in global carbon budgets could unintentionally redirect attention from well-established – and highly needed – methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.



<h2 id="h-whales-have-other-important-values">Whales have other important values&nbsp;</h2>



“Previous estimations neglect the scale in which carbon sequestration occurred both temporally and spatially. Some of the pathways suggested for carbon sequestration such as whale falls (when whales die and sink to the ocean floor but retain carbon for decades) also underestimate the breathing of whales,” Meynecke explained.



“We think it is important to acknowledge that there are other values of whales that are more relevant to drive their conservation than carbon capture.&nbsp;Large scale protection of marine environments including the habitats of whales will build resilience and assist with natural carbon capture at a global scale,” he concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1117409">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



<h2 id="h-more-about-carbon-capture">More about carbon capture&nbsp;</h2>



Carbon capture, also known as carbon capture and storage (CCS), is a process designed to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. This technology aims to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced from the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and industrial processes, preventing the CO2 from entering the atmosphere. The captured CO2 is then stored underground in geological formations.



<h3 id="h-the-process-of-carbon-capture">The process of carbon capture:</h3>



<h4 id="h-capture">Capture</h4>



The capture stage involves the separation of CO2 from other gases produced in electricity generation and industrial processes. There are three primary techniques used for this:



<h4 id="h-post-combustion-capture">Post-combustion capture</h4>



This involves capturing CO2 after fossil fuels have been burned and the resultant gases have been cleaned. This is the most widely used method as it can be retrofitted to existing power and industrial plants.



<h4 id="h-pre-combustion-capture">Pre-combustion capture</h4>



In this process, fossil fuels are partially oxidized to produce a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The carbon monoxide is then reacted with water to produce CO2, which can be captured. The remaining hydrogen can be used as a low-carbon fuel.



<h4 id="h-oxyfuel-combustion-capture">Oxyfuel combustion capture</h4>



Here, fossil fuels are burned in oxygen rather than air. As a result, the flue gas is primarily CO2 and water vapor, which can be easily separated to capture CO2.



<h4 id="h-transport">Transport</h4>



After the CO2 is captured, it must be transported to a storage site. This is usually done through pipelines that have been specifically constructed for this purpose. In certain situations where pipelines are impractical, other methods like shipping might be used.



<h4 id="h-storage">Storage</h4>



The final stage involves storing the captured CO2. This is typically done by injecting the CO2 deep underground into geological formations. These can include depleted oil and gas fields, unminable coal seams, or deep saline aquifers.



While carbon capture is seen as a potential solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it also faces several challenges. These include high cost, energy required for the process, and the need for safe and long-term storage solutions. The technology also doesn't address the emissions from the extraction and transport of fossil fuels. Furthermore, some argue that investment in CCS might detract from efforts to further renewable energy sources.



However, newer technologies are also being developed, such as Direct Air Capture (DAC), which involves removing CO2 directly from the atmosphere, and Bio-Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), which combines biomass use with CCS.



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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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Can whales contribute to carbon capture?

Recently, an increasing number of scientists have argued that animals...

<a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/environment-day">World Environment Day</a> 2023 has been commemorated annually on June 5 since 1973 under the <a href="https://www.unep.org/">United Nations Environment Programme</a> (UNEP). This occasion reminds us of the urgent need to take active measures against one of the most pressing global environmental challenges: plastic pollution.&nbsp;



The theme of World Environment Day 2023 is to #BeatPlasticPollution. This global movement demands not only the active participation of governments and businesses, but also the efforts of each individual.



<h2 id="h-a-complex-problem">A complex problem</h2>



The enormous volume of plastic produced each year stands at more than 400 million tons globally. A worrying fact is that about half of this plastic is designed for single-use, destined to be discarded after its brief life cycle.&nbsp;



Furthermore, less than a tenth of this plastic waste is recycled. A staggering estimated 19-23 million tons of this waste eventually finds its way into our lakes, rivers, and seas each year, a weight equating to roughly 2,200 Eiffel Towers combined.



Adding another layer to the complex problem of plastic pollution are microplastics. These are minute particles of plastic, up to 5mm in diameter, that permeate our food, water, and air. Recent studies suggest that an average individual ingests more than 50,000 such particles annually - a figure that significantly rises when we consider inhalation.



The pervasive presence of plastic, particularly single-use ones, poses an imminent threat to human health, biodiversity, and virtually all ecosystems, extending from mountain tops to the ocean floor. Discarded or burnt plastic releases toxins that are detrimental to both humans and wildlife.



<h2 id="h-transformative-action-is-needed">Transformative action is needed</h2>



The seriousness of this crisis highlights the importance of World Environment Day and the crucial need for transformative action from every corner of the globe. It's an urgent call for an accelerated transition towards a circular economy, which promotes recycling and reusing resources rather than continually producing new ones.



The necessity of this action is evident when we consider the impact of plastic pollution on climate change. Plastic is predominantly derived from oil and gas, both of which are fossil fuels. As such, the production of plastic directly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, thus intensifying the climate crisis.&nbsp;



If we fail to intervene, emissions from plastic production alone could account for 19 percent of the total allowable emissions established by the Paris Agreement. The target of this treaty is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2040.



<h2 id="h-urgent-action-is-needed">Urgent action is needed</h2>



The potential consequences of inaction are catastrophic. Without necessary measures, air pollution could exceed safe guidelines by 50 percent within a decade. Additionally, plastic waste infiltrating aquatic ecosystems could nearly triple by 2040. To maintain global warming below 1.5°C this century, we must halve annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.



The need for urgent action is clear. Thankfully, the stage has been set for a global agreement to combat plastic pollution. Last year, a historic resolution was endorsed by 175 UN Member States to end plastic pollution and develop an international legally binding agreement by 2024. This resolution, the most significant environmental multilateral agreement since the Paris accord, promises to act as a safeguard for current and future generations to coexist with plastic, not be endangered by it.



<h2 id="h-get-involved">Get involved&nbsp;</h2>



The celebration of World Environment Day, this year hosted by Côte D'Ivoire, is more than a day of acknowledgment. It's a platform for public outreach, sparking discussions and inspiring actions among millions of people worldwide. By participating, we collectively signal our commitment to preserving our planet for future generations.



One effective way to participate is by joining the #BeatPlasticPollution movement through the official website of World Environment Day 2023. You can find a wealth of information about the issue, learn about the actions you can undertake to contribute to the solution, and access various resources to promote the movement on your social media. No action is too small.



<h2 id="h-become-a-part-of-the-solution">Become a part of the solution&nbsp;</h2>



The fight against plastic pollution presents an opportunity for us to transition from being a source of pollution to becoming part of the solution. A striking example of the extent of plastic pollution can be seen in places as remote as the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in our oceans, and Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. Despite their inaccessibility, these locations bear the scars of human activities, accumulating tiny pieces of plastic carried by air and water currents from miles away.



This alarming fact underscores the magnitude of the problem we are facing. To better grasp this global crisis visually, we invite you to explore an engaging report that showcases the depth of the garbage problem in our oceans. These interactive and visual stories offer a more nuanced understanding of this pressing issue.



With the available scientific knowledge and technological solutions, the time has come for governments, companies, and individuals to upscale and expedite actions to tackle this crisis. By transitioning to a circular economy, we can substantially reduce plastic pollution. This shift can cut the volume of plastics entering oceans by over 80 percent by 2040, decrease virgin plastic production by 55 per cent, save governments an estimated US$70 billion by 2040, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent, and even create 700,000 additional jobs, primarily in the global south.



This World Environment Day, as we mark half a century of its celebration, the stakes have never been higher. The urgency of our environmental challenges requires us all to participate in the movement to #BeatPlasticPollution. By working as a team, we can protect our environment and ensure a healthier future for all life on our planet.



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World Environment Day 2023: #BeatPlasticPollution

World Environment Day 2023 has been commemorated annually on June...

Split,View,In,The,Mangrove,With,Tree,Above,Water,Surface

Recently, countries all over the world have been struggling to meet their international climate commitments. Nature-based approaches, such as using the potential of mangroves, seagrasses, or salt marshes to sequester carbon provide a promising solution and could help nations significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.&nbsp;



However, due to the complexity of calculating how much carbon wetlands and other coastal ecosystems can sequester and where to implement such strategies in order to maximize the co-benefits for the climate, economy, or flood risk reduction, major coastal countries, including the United States, have largely overlooked such “blue carbon strategies.”



Now, a team of researchers led by <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/">Stanford University</a> has quantified the value of Belize’s coastal mangrove forests in terms of how much carbon they can hold, what value they can add to fisheries and tourism, and what protection they can provide against coastal storms and other risks. Their findings could help chart a path to mitigate climate change, while also boosting the economy and making communities safer.



“The U.S. has one of the largest coastlines in the world, and extensive wetlands,” said study lead author&nbsp;Katie Arkema, a senior Earth scientist at the <a href="https://www.pnnl.gov/">Pacific Northwest National Laboratory</a>, who conducted this research during a fellowship at the&nbsp;<a href="https://naturalcapitalproject.stanford.edu/">Stanford Natural Capital Project</a>. “This paper offers an approach we could use for setting evidence-based climate resilience and economic development goals.”



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



Collaborating with an international team of scientists, as well as Belizean policymakers and stakeholders, Arkema and her colleagues quantified carbon storage and sequestration by using land cover data from Belize and field estimates from Mexico.&nbsp;



The experts also took into account factors such as coastal flood risk reduction, tourism, and fisheries co-benefits by modeling related services - such as lobster breeding grounds - provided by mangroves under current and future protection, and possible restoration scenarios at different locations.



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



The analysis revealed that, in some regions, even small amounts of mangrove restoration could have significant benefits for both fisheries and tourism. However, since it takes some time for carbon stocks to accumulate in the soil and biomass, total organic carbon sequestration was found to be initially lower when restoring mangroves than when protecting already existing forests.&nbsp;



Moreover, the experts discovered that, as mangrove areas increase past a certain point, benefits other than carbon storage begin to decrease. Identifying such inflection points could help policymakers and stakeholders decide how to most effectively balance ecosystem protection with coastal development. At the same time, pinpointing the locations where blue carbon strategies could offer the greatest amounts of co-benefits could help bolster local support.



<h2 id="h-belize-sets-new-targets">Belize sets new targets</h2>



Based on these findings, Belizean policymakers pledged to protect an additional 46 miles of existing mangroves – thus bringing the national total protected area to 96 square miles – and to restore 15 square miles of mangroves by the end of this decade. If these targets will be met, the mangroves could store millions of tons of additional carbon, while also providing additional benefits, such as boosting lobster fisheries by up to 66 percent, generating mangrove tourism worth several million dollars annually, and reducing the risk of coastal hazards for at least 30 percent more people.



Since this approach addresses both climate and sustainable development goals, it can open new opportunities for financing nature-based solutions in other countries too. In the following months, the Natural Capital Project, the InterAmerican Development Bank, and the Asian Development Bank will collaborate with 10 countries to help translating such nature-based approaches into policy and investment processes.&nbsp;



“Belize’s example, illustrating the practical ways nature’s many benefits can be spatially quantified and inform a country’s climate policy and investments, are now primed to be scaled around the world with development banks and country leaders,” concluded co-author&nbsp;Mary Ruckelshaus, the executive director of the Stanford Natural Capital Project.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-023-02081-1">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



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



Mangroves are tropical trees and shrubs that grow in coastal and estuarine environments. They are an important part of the ecosystem because they help protect coastlines from storm surges, prevent erosion, and provide habitats for a variety of animal and plant species.



Mangroves have several interesting features that allow them to survive in saline, oxygen-poor environments.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-key-characteristics">Key characteristics:</h3>



<h4 id="h-salt-tolerance">Salt Tolerance</h4>



Unlike most other types of trees, mangroves are able to tolerate and even thrive in saltwater. They have evolved several mechanisms to deal with high salt levels, including salt excretion through leaves and specialized root structures that limit the amount of salt taken up.



<h4 id="h-specialized-root-systems">Specialized Root Systems</h4>



Mangroves have unique root structures known as pneumatophores, which protrude from the water or soil and allow the trees to breathe in oxygen-poor environments. These roots also stabilize the trees in the loose, shifting sediments of the intertidal zone.



<h4 id="h-tidal-adaptations">Tidal Adaptations</h4>



Mangroves are well-adapted to living in intertidal zones, where water levels can fluctuate dramatically between high and low tides. Their roots help to trap sediments, which builds up the soil and allows the mangroves to keep pace with sea level rise.



There are about 80 different species of mangroves, and they're typically divided into two major types: the "true mangroves" and "mangrove associates." True mangroves are species that are exclusively found in mangrove habitats, while mangrove associates can be found in other environments as well.



Mangrove ecosystems are under threat worldwide due to a variety of factors, including coastal development, pollution, and climate change. Despite their ecological importance, mangrove forests have been cleared at an alarming rate. This not only destroys habitats for a multitude of species but also reduces the coastline's natural protection against storms and erosion. Consequently, efforts to conserve and restore mangrove habitats are vital for both local communities and global biodiversity.



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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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Restoring mangroves could help countries meet their climate goals

Recently, countries all over the world have been struggling to...

The Antillean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tracking-manatee-evolution-over-47-million-years/">manatee</a> (Trichechus manatus) is a currently endangered subspecies of the West Indian manatee, living in the waters off Belize and facing a variety of threats, such as habitat degradation and loss, poaching, pollution, and entanglement in fishing gear.&nbsp;



Now, a team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu/">University of California, Santa Cruz</a> has found that, with the growth of tourism over the past three decades and subsequent increase in boat traffic, the local manatee population – consisting at the moment of about 1,000 specimens – is also facing a growing threat from boat strikes.



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



To quantify the impacts of increasing boat traffic on the manatee population, the researchers used 25 years of data on manatee strandings (injured or dead animals), six aerial surveys of the manatee population, and two decades of boat registration data.



The investigation revealed that, with increasingly more boats in the water, the number of manatee strandings has risen from one to four per year in the 1990s and early 2000s to 10 to 17 per year by the late 2100s. Strandings were more frequent in regions with high boat traffic, mangrove habitats, and high human population density.



“We knew that boat strikes were happening, but this study provides strong quantitative evidence of boat strikes as an increasing source of mortality for manatees in Belize, and it shows the areas where the risk is greatest,” said co-author Marm Kilpatrick, a professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz. “These findings provide a basis for conservation measures that can be implemented to reduce the risk.”



<h2 id="h-conservation-efforts-are-needed">Conservation efforts are needed</h2>



According to the researchers, conservation efforts should focus on decreasing the number of boats and their allowed speeds within areas of high manatee use, creating more protected areas with strict restrictions on boat traffic, including regions designated for non-motorized boating or restricted access, and implementing speed restrictions in shallow seagrass habitats.



“This work has been shared with policymakers in Belize and will contribute directly to conservation planning, including protecting key areas for manatees such as the Belize River Mouth and the Placencia Lagoon,” concluded lead author Celeshia Guy Galves, a scientist at the <a href="https://mission.cmaquarium.org/research-institute/">Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute</a> in Belize, who conducted this research as a graduate student in the&nbsp;<a href="https://csp.ucsc.edu/">Coastal Science and Policy Program</a>&nbsp;at UC Santa Cruz. The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/esr01247">Endangered Species Research</a>.



<h2 id="h-more-about-boat-strikes">More about boat strikes</h2>



Boat strikes refer to the collision of boats with marine life, such as whales, dolphins, manatees, turtles, and various types of fish. These incidents can result in injury or death to the marine animals and can damage boats as well.



Boat strikes are a significant conservation issue, especially for endangered or threatened species. They are a particularly significant problem in areas with heavy boat traffic, such as Florida's waterways where the manatee population is at risk, or busy shipping lanes where large whales might be present. They can be a significant source of mortality for some species.



There are a variety of methods being used to try to reduce the incidence of boat strikes. These include:



<h3 id="h-education">Education</h3>



Boat operators are often not aware of the presence of marine animals in their vicinity or the potential harm they can cause. Educational campaigns can help to raise awareness and change behavior.



<h3 id="h-regulation">Regulation</h3>



Speed limits in certain areas, especially those known to be inhabited by vulnerable species, can reduce the risk of boat strikes. Regulations may also limit the times or seasons when boats can operate in certain areas.



<h3 id="h-technology">Technology</h3>



There are technologies being developed to help boats detect the presence of marine life, such as sonar systems. Other innovations aim to make the animals more aware of approaching boats.



<h3 id="h-design">Design</h3>



Changes to boat design, such as propeller guards or hull shapes that are less likely to harm animals, can also reduce the risk.



Despite these efforts, boat strikes remain a significant conservation concern. As human activities in the marine environment continue to increase, it's likely that the issue of boat strikes will continue to receive attention from researchers, conservationists, and policymakers.



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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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Boat strikes are a growing threat to manatees in Belize

The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus) is a currently endangered subspecies...

Climate change is revealing secrets trapped within our planet's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-lakes-are-releasing-methane-from-melting-permafrost/">permafrost</a>. As the icy layers melt at an alarming rate, they are uncovering organisms thought to be extinct - ancient "zombie viruses" that have been perfectly preserved for thousands of years. Scientists are discovering that these long-dormant microbes still possess the potential to infect and spread.



As global warming accelerates, the permafrost is thawing increasingly fast, along with the potential for zombie viruses to become infectious again. This warning comes from an international team of researchers from Russia, Germany, and France. The team includes experts in genomics, microbiology, and geoscience, some of whom have been tracking these re-emerging zombie viruses for almost a decade. The findings were published earlier this year in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/viruses">Viruses</a>.



<h2 id="h-early-warning-signs">Early warning signs</h2>



<h3 id="h-1918-influenza-virus">1918 Influenza virus</h3>



One of the earliest signs of the viral resurrection came from a somewhat unexpected place. In the late 1990s, Swedish pathologist Dr. Johan V. Hultin found RNA of the 1918 Influenza virus in the lungs of an Inuit woman buried nearly 80 years prior in a mass grave of influenza victims near a remote village outside Brevig Mission, Alaska.&nbsp;



The discovery was possible because the permafrost had preserved enough RNA from the virus to enable researchers to sequence the entire 1918 strain's genome. But this victory was a double-edged sword, heralding the potential for other diseases long frozen in the ice to re-emerge in our modern world.



<h3 id="h-two-giant-viruses-emerge-in-siberia">Two giant viruses emerge in Siberia</h3>



Another zombie virus, Pithovirus sibericum, was discovered 100 feet beneath the Siberian permafrost in 2014. This ancient virus is so gigantic that it can be seen under an ordinary high school-style light microscope.&nbsp;



French scientists from the <a href="https://www.univ-amu.fr/en">University of Aix-Marseille</a> managed to resurrect the 30,000-year-old P. sibericum by exposing amoebas to the virus. "This is the first time we've seen a virus that's still infectious after this length of time," said ProfessorJean-Michel Claverie.



While P. sibericum does not pose an immediate threat to humans or animals, its re-emergence serves as a stark warning. The scientists noted the ease with which these new viruses were isolated, suggesting that infectious particles of many other viruses specific to various hosts — including humans and animals — probably remain abundant in ancient permafrost.



Mollivirus sibericum, another giant virus, was found alongside P. sibericum in the same 30,000-year-old Siberian permafrost samples. Though not a direct threat to humans or animals, the proximity of these two giant viruses left scientists concerned about the potential treasure trove of pathogens that the permafrost might be hiding. 



"We cannot rule out that distant viruses of ancient Siberian human (or animal) populations could reemerge as Arctic permafrost layers melt and/or are disrupted by industrial activities," the researchers warned in their 2015 study.



<h3 id="h-the-return-of-smallpox">The return of smallpox</h3>



Smallpox was eradicated by the World Health Organization in 1980. However, in 2004, French and Russian scientists discovered traces of smallpox in an icy 300-year-old Siberian mummy, frozen in the tundra of Russia's Sakha Republic.



The chilling discovery can be traced back to the late 17th to early 18th centuries when the Siberian region was gripped by a severe smallpox outbreak. This mummy was discovered in a mass grave, a hastily arranged burial site from that era, preserved perfectly in the permafrost. Notably, this burial was unusual, as it contained not one but five frozen mummies, all believed to be victims of the same smallpox outbreak.



<h2 id="h-climate-change-and-an-unclear-future">Climate change and an unclear future</h2>



For the authors of the new paper in the journal Viruses, this discovery of the 2004 smallpox virus serves as a grim example of the potential threat thawing permafrost may pose. "Probably for safety/regulatory reasons, there were not follow-up studies attempting to "revive" these viruses (fortunately)."



However, the lack of attempts to reanimate these viruses does not discount the possibility that they might revive on their own, given the right conditions. Permafrost is melting at unprecedented rates, potentially setting the stage for ancient pathogens to return. "Very few studies have been published on this subject," said the researchers.



While these zombie viruses may not pose an immediate threat, their re-emergence is a stark reminder of the potential health risks associated with climate change. As scientists continue to study these ancient pathogens, they underscore the importance of understanding and addressing the profound impacts of global warming on our planet's frozen frontiers.



—-



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Climate change is unleashing ancient "zombie viruses" as ice layers melt

Climate change is revealing secrets trapped within our planet's permafrost....

Scientists have long wondered why some people succeed in living very long lives without requiring extensive medical treatments. Now, by studying 176 healthy Japanese centenarians, a team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/">University of Copenhagen</a> has found that the combination of intestinal bacteria and bacterial viruses of these individuals is quite unique and significantly contributes to their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/certain-stress-boost-longevity/">longevity</a>.



“We are always eager to find out why some people live extremely long lives. Previous research has shown that the intestinal bacteria of old Japanese citizens produce brand new molecules that make them resistant to pathogenic – that is, disease-promoting – microorganisms. And if their intestines are better protected against infection, well, then that is probably one of the things that cause them to live longer than others,” said lead author Joachim Johansen, a postdoctoral fellow in Disease Systems Biology at Copenhagen.



While the beneficial role of the vast community of bacteria constituting our gut microbiome has already been extensively studied, less attention has been given to the billion of viruses in our intestines that infect bacterial cells.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-optimizing-the-gut-microbiome">Optimizing the gut microbiome&nbsp;</h2>



In the new study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41564-023-01370-6">Nature Microbiology</a>, researchers used an algorithm to map the composition of the participants’ microbiomes. The experts found great biological diversity in both bacteria and bacterial viruses, a feature which they believe to be associated with a healthy gut microbiome that provides efficient protection against aging related diseases.



“We want to understand the dynamics of the intestinal flora. How do the different kinds of bacteria and viruses interact? How can we engineer a microbiome that can help us live healthy, long lives? Are some bacteria better than others? Using the algorithm, we are able to describe the balance between viruses and bacteria,” said senior author Simon Rasmussen, an associate professor of Bioinformatics at Copenhagen.



According to Rasmussen, better understanding this balance could help scientists optimize the gut microbiome in order to increase the organism’s resilience against disease.&nbsp;



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



“We have learned that if a virus pays a bacterium a visit, it may actually strengthen the bacterium. The viruses we found in the healthy Japanese centenarians contained extra genes that could boost the bacteria. We learned that they were able to boost the transformation of specific molecules in the intestines, which might serve to stabilize the intestinal flora and counteract inflammation,” Johansen explained.



“If you discover bacteria and viruses that have a positive effect on the human intestinal flora, the obvious next step is to find out whether only some or all of us have them. If we are able to get these bacteria and their viruses to move in with the people who do not have them, more people could benefit from them. If we know why viruses and intestinal bacteria are a good match, it will be a lot easier for us to change something that actually affects our health,” Rasmussen concluded.



<h2 id="h-more-about-intestinal-bacteria">More about intestinal bacteria&nbsp;</h2>



Intestinal bacteria, also referred to as gut microbiota, are a complex community of microorganisms that reside in your digestive tract, specifically in the large intestine. These microbes include not only bacteria, but also viruses, fungi, and other types of microbes. They play a vital role in health and disease.



<h3 id="h-diversity">Diversity</h3>



There are estimated to be over 1,000 species of bacteria in the human gut, each with a wide range of functions. These bacteria can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful. The balance and diversity of these bacteria can greatly affect our health.



<h3 id="h-digestion">Digestion</h3>



These microbes help break down food and absorb nutrients, including the digestion of complex carbohydrates, producing short-chain fatty acids and vitamins like K and B, which the body cannot make on its own.



<h3 id="h-immune-system">Immune System</h3>



The gut microbiota plays a critical role in the development and function of the immune system. They help regulate immune responses, protecting against pathogens and maintaining tolerance to harmless microbes and food antigens.



<h3 id="h-brain-gut-axis">Brain-Gut Axis</h3>



Recent research has found that the gut microbiota can also influence the brain and behavior, in what is often referred to as the "gut-brain axis." This communication happens through multiple pathways that include the immune system, tryptophan metabolism, and the production of short-chain fatty acids and other metabolites.



<h3 id="h-dysbiosis-and-health-conditions">Dysbiosis and Health Conditions</h3>



Dysbiosis refers to an imbalance or disruption in the gut microbiota. This has been linked to several health conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.



<h3 id="h-probiotics-and-prebiotics">Probiotics and Prebiotics</h3>



Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. We usually think of bacteria as something harmful, but your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called "good" or "friendly" bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are types of dietary fiber that feed the friendly bacteria in your gut. This can help the gut bacteria produce nutrients for your gut cells, lead to better digestive health, and enhance the immune system.



—



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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Intestinal bacteria could help you live a very long life

Scientists have long wondered why some people succeed in living...

Researchers at Cal State University have discovered that juvenile great white sharks are far more prevalent along the California coastline than previously assumed. This presence has shed new light on the reality of human-shark interactions and possibly on how climate change may be affecting shark <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dads-lead-young-birds-on-their-first-migration/">migration</a> patterns.



A two-year research project led by Professor Christopher Lowe, director of the Shark Lab and a professor of Marine Biology at <a href="https://www.csulb.edu/">Cal State Long Beach</a>, relied on drone technology to observe more than two dozen beaches along the state's extensive shoreline.



The study's target demographic was juvenile great whites, aged between one and five years. To the researchers' surprise, these young great whites appeared to be particularly concentrated in two locations: southern Santa Barbara County and central San Diego County.



The intriguing aspect of this finding was not just the unexpected frequency of the juvenile sharks in these regions but the nature of their interaction - or lack thereof - with humans. According to the results released last Friday, these aggregation sites often witnessed sharks and humans sharing the oceanic playground simultaneously 97 percent of the time.



<h2 id="h-minding-their-own-business">Minding their own business</h2>



The notion of sharks circling in the same waters as surfers and stand-up paddle boarders might immediately bring to mind scenes from Steven Spielberg's iconic film "Jaws." Yet, the researchers emphasize that their observations provide a clear contrast to these sensationalized Hollywood scenarios.&nbsp;



Rather than menacing predators, the young sharks "tend to mind their own business," says Patrick Rex, a lab technician at the Shark Lab. The researchers frequently observed juvenile whites swimming within 50 yards of where the waves break, even coming within 10 feet of beachgoers - who were often unaware of a shark's presence.



The important question that arises from these observations, Rex points out, is not about fear but about perception: “People think, 'If I see a shark in the lineup (the area where waves begin breaking), I'm going to get bitten or I'm in danger.' And what we've seen is that that's not necessarily the case."



During the entire period of the study, no shark bites were reported at any of the observed beaches. In fact, shark bites in California are quite rare, with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife documenting only 209 incidents from 1950 to November 2022.



<h2 id="h-new-insights">New insights</h2>



This proximity to humans without any significant incident has led the scientists to theorize that these sharks have started to recognize humans as "not food." Although this is not a definitive conclusion, given the complexities of understanding why sharks bite humans in the first place, it does offer a glimmer of insight into the nature of these majestic creatures.



These findings offer invaluable information to lifeguards, particularly those operating in these aggregation sites, to help ensure safe swimming and water recreation. The research also offers a fascinating window into the behaviors of young sharks, who tend to spend their time at these spots feeding on stingrays and small fish at the seafloor.



Interestingly, this research may also be offering insights into broader environmental shifts. The scientists noted that some of the sharks they were observing did not leave the California waters as they traditionally would when the colder seasons set in.&nbsp;



Rex suggests that climate change and the resultant warmer waters might be causing this shift in migratory patterns. "It means that the sharks may not be making that long migration anymore," he explained. However, he was quick to caution that this was an early hypothesis, with more data and time needed before firm conclusions could be drawn.



These intriguing findings emphasize the importance of continued marine research, the results of which not only bring us a deeper understanding of these incredible creatures but also of our role and responsibility in the delicate balance of our shared environment.



<h2 id="h-more-about-great-whites">More about great whites</h2>



Great white sharks are the largest predatory fish in the world, with adults typically measuring 13 to 15 feet in length, although specimens exceeding 20 feet have been recorded. These sharks are known for their torpedo-shaped bodies, which allow for speed and agility in the water, and their iconic white underbellies, which gives them their common name. Their back and sides are typically a slate-gray color, providing an effective camouflage in the water.



Great whites have a global distribution, and are primarily found in cool, coastal waters. They have been observed in waters with temperatures ranging from 54-75°F (12-24°C), which means they can be found in seas off the coasts of the United States, South Africa, Japan, Oceania, Chile, and the Mediterranean, among others.



Great white sharks are apex predators, meaning they have no natural predators aside from the occasional killer whale. Their diet mainly consists of fish, seals, small cetaceans (like dolphins), sea turtles, sea birds, and even other sharks. They are known for their "breaching" behavior when hunting seals, propelling themselves out of the water in an impressive display of power and agility.



Despite their reputation, attacks on humans are relatively rare and are usually a case of mistaken identity, such as a shark confusing a surfer for a seal. Contrary to popular belief, humans are not a preferred food source for these sharks.



Great whites are ovoviviparous, which means eggs develop and hatch within the body of the female and are born live. Little is known about their breeding habits, but pups are generally around 5 feet long at birth and are immediately self-sufficient.



These sharks are migratory and can travel thousands of miles. A famous shark named Nicole traveled from South Africa to Australia and back in nine months, a journey of over 12,000 miles.



Unfortunately, great white sharks are currently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They face threats from hunting (for their fins, teeth, and as trophies), accidental catch (bycatch) in fishing gear, and pollution. Efforts are being made to protect these majestic creatures and ensure their survival for future generations.



—-



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Great whites are far more prevalent than expected on the California coast

Researchers at Cal State University have discovered that juvenile great...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image 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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image 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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;



Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.



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.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Kainji Lake, a reservoir on the Niger River.



In 1968, Kainji Lake was created by the construction of the Kainji Dam. The Niger River, the third longest in Africa, enters the lake in the north.&nbsp;



According to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-in-the-american-west-are-a-lifesaving-resource-for-birds/">ESA</a>, the creation of the lake submerged Foge Island and the town of Bussa and permanently flooded other riverine settlements, leaving around 50,000 people displaced.&nbsp;



Large parts of Foge Island are temporarily exposed during low water tides, and the land is often used by migrating fishermen. Kainji Dam is a dam across the Niger River in Niger State of Central Nigeria. 



Wild mammals occur at relatively low densities due to illegal hunting. Lake Kainji has suffered a dramatic decline as a fishery due to the high numbers of artisanal and subsistence fisherfolk using the lake. It has been suggested that a period of closure, together with controlled fishing rights may help improve fish stocks.



Kainji Lake National Park is the oldest of its kind in Nigeria. The park contains three distinct areas: a part of the Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve to the west of the lake, and the Zugurma Game Reserve to the southeast. The park is home to around 65 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians. 



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&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.

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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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...

Once on the ground in Africa, the team headed into a sanctuary where they knew gorillas could be found. They set up the camera and, before long, its powers of disguise were put to the test. Photo Credit: African Budget Safaris

Deployment

In order to fool these intelligent apes, the camera was placed inside of an animatronic gorilla! Its infiltration abilities were put to the test soon after the team arrived in Uganda. Photo Credit: BBC / YouTube