According to research carried out by non-profit <a href="https://friendofthesea.org/">Friend of the Sea</a>, ship strikes kill more than 20,000 whales every year. This an alarming number, especially considering how close to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-fertilization-led-to-severe-mass-extinction-event/">extinction</a> some species (such as the North Atlantic right whale) already are. 



The problem of whale ship collisions is a worldwide phenomenon, but Friend of the Sea has identified eleven key spots where strikes are especially common. These are areas where shipping lanes cross prime feeding and breeding areas for whales.&nbsp;



The key areas and endangered whale species that are threatened by ship strikes include: blue whales in Sri Lanka, sperm whales in the Canary Islands, and humpback whales in Panama.



There are additional locations that play lesser or greater roles in the lives of different whale species scattered all over the world. In the Mediterranean alone, 220,000 ships cross the sea annually and 30 percent of the world’s marine traffic departs from or arrives in the Mediterranean Basin.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The main causes of collisions are shipping companies, cruise lines and speed boats.&nbsp; Because the problem is primarily a commercial one, part of the solution should come from industry.



The International Whaling Commision (IWC) is currently collaborating with other agencies to find a solution to the problem, producing a pamphlet designed to help reduce whale collisions.&nbsp;



Despite this small step in the right direction, it is difficult to evaluate whether the work has had any impact on collisions, much less on whale populations. Friend of the Sea is seeking to work with shipping companies to become part of the solution for whales.&nbsp;



Friend of the Sea recommends that all ships have a full time marine mammal observation program on board, covering a minimum of 120 degrees in front of the vessel. Ships could also use online systems to report and be informed of mammal sightings nearby. It is also essential that a plan is established for how to react to nearby whales and avoid ship strikes.&nbsp;



If companies follow these procedures, and allow Friend of the Sea access to their data in real time, the organization awards them with a "whale safe" label. In this way, consumers can make better choices in their purchases to help support whales.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Thousands of whales are killed by ship strikes each year

According to research carried out by non-profit Friend of the Sea, ship strikes kill more than 20,000 whales every year. This an alarming number, especially considering how close to extinction some species (such as the North Atlantic right whale) already are.  The problem of whale ship collisions is a worldwide phenomenon, but Friend of the Sea has identified eleven key spots where strikes are especially common. These are areas where shipping lanes cross prime feeding and breeding areas for whales.&nbsp; The key areas and endangered whale species...

A new study published in the journal <a href="https://cgejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40575-021-00111-4">Canine Medicine and Genetics</a> has found that most dog breeds are highly inbred, with an average inbreeding level of over 25 percent. These extremely high levels of inbreeding have been associated with the increased prevalence of a large variety of complex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-confirms-plastics-contribute-to-heart-disease/">diseases</a> and conditions.



Dog breeds are often recognized by their distinctive traits, such as the wrinkled face of a pug, the spotted coat of a Dalmatian, or the short legs of a dachshund. Unfortunately, these traits are frequently the result of inbreeding.



A team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/">University of California, Davis</a> together with <a href="https://www.wisdompanel.com/en-us">Wisdom Health Genetics</a>, a company owning the world’s largest dog DNA database, has collected and analyzed data from 49,378 dogs across 227 breeds.&nbsp;



The analysis revealed that the average inbreeding across this cohort was 25 percent, or the equivalent of sharing the full same genetic material with a full sibling.&nbsp;



According to the researchers, dogs are inbred by humans in order to select for traits such as their looks. However, such methods pose quite significant dangers to dogs’ health, increasing the risk of different diseases, many of which are lethal.



“It’s amazing how inbreeding seems to matter to health,” said study lead author Dannika Bannasch, a veterinary geneticist at UC Davis. “While previous studies have shown that small dogs live longer than large dogs, no one had previously reported on morbidity, or the presence of disease.&nbsp;This study revealed that if dogs are of smaller size and not inbred, they are much healthier than larger&nbsp;dogs with high inbreeding.”



"Data from other species, combined with strong breed predispositions to complex diseases like cancer and autoimmune diseases, highlight the relevance of high inbreeding in dogs to their health."



In order to preserve the genetic diversity and health of a breed, several measures should be taken, including the careful management of breeding populations in order to avoid additional loss of existing genetic diversity. This can be achieved through breeder education and close monitoring of inbreeding levels, which is now enabled by direct genotyping technologies.&nbsp;



Moreover, in the few breeds with low inbreeding levels, such as the Danish-Swedish farm dog, every effort should be made to maintain the genetic diversity that is already present.&nbsp;



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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

Dogs have a high risk of disease due to inbreeding

A new study published in the journal Canine Medicine and...

The western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is the most common of the 7–12 different species of honey bees worldwide. It is commercially important as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-third-of-plants-are-completely-reliant-on-animal-pollinators/">pollinator</a> of crops and a producer of honey. The geographic origin of the western honey bee has been hotly debated over decades. Some believing in an African origin, while others think it first evolved in Asia. 



In new research, led by scientists from <a href="https://www.yorku.ca/">York University</a> the genomes of 251 honey bees, from 18 different subspecies, collected in their native ranges, have been sequenced in order to determine the probable geographic origin and pattern of dispersal of honey bees.&nbsp;



The results indicate that an Asian origin – most likely western Asia – is strongly supported by the genetic data. According to this data, the probability of the bees originating within western Asia is 64 to 71 percent. In comparison, the genetic analysis indicates only a six percent chance that western honey bees originated in Africa and a three to six percent chance that they came initially from Europe.



“As one of the world’s most important pollinators, it’s essential to know the origin of the western honey bee to understand its evolution, genetics and how it adapted as it spread,” said study co-author Professor&nbsp;<a href="https://news.yorku.ca/experts/?name_or_keyword=amro+zayed&amp;research_area=&amp;submit=Search+the+Guide&amp;search=Y">Amro Zayed</a>.



The research also indicates that western honey bees underwent three separate expansion events during their evolution. They expanded into Africa in one event, and also experienced two separate expansions into Europe. This led to the existence of seven geographically and genetically distinct evolutionary lineages traceable back to Western Asia. The adaptive radiation of the honey bees after these expansions has led to the development of the approximately 27 different subspecies of honey bees that are found in the world.



Today, western honey bees inhabit every continent except Antarctica and show a remarkable capacity for surviving in vastly different environments – from tropical rainforests, to near deserts and to temperate regions with cold winters. The researchers were interested in identifying the genes and genetic variation that are associated with honey bee adaptation to these different environments.&nbsp;



They found that the bee genome has several “hotspots” that allowed honey bees to adapt to new environmental conditions. While the bee genome has more than 12,000 genes, only 145 of them had repeated signatures of adaptation associated with the formation of all major honey bee lineages found today. In particular, many of the genes involved in adaptation related to changes in the behavior of worker bees, and the analysis showed that these genes have been under positive selective pressure in the past.&nbsp;



“Our research suggests that a core-set of genes allowed the honey bee to adapt to a diverse set of environmental conditions across its native range by regulating worker and colony behavior,” said York University PhD student Kathleen Dogantzis of the Faculty of Science, who led the research.



“It’s important to understand how locally adapted subspecies and colony-level selection on worker bees, contributes to the fitness and diversity of managed colonies."



The sequencing of these bee genomes also led to the discovery of two distinct lineages, one in Egypt and another in Madagascar.



The researchers hope their study will finally resolve the debate about the ancestral origins of the western honey bee so that future research can focus on exploring how they adapted to different climates and geographic areas.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/journal/sciadv">Science Advances</a>.



---



By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Mysterious origins of western honey bees revealed

The western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is the most common of...

New research shows that wolves living in Norway and Sweden today are actually Finnish wolves. The research confirms that humans killed off the last of the original Norwegian wolves in the 1970s.&nbsp;



“The original Norwegian-Swedish wolves probably didn’t share their genetics with the wolves in Norway and Sweden today,” explained Hans Stenøien, director of the <a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/">Norwegian University of Science and Technology</a> (NTNU) University Museum.



A team of scientists led by Stenøien carried out an extensive genetic study on Norwegian-Swedish wolves. “We’ve carried out the largest genetic study of wolves in the world,” said Stenøien.



The research is part of a report commissioned by the Norwegian parliament on wolves in 2016. After the Norwegian wolf initially disappeared, there were rumors that wolves were released from zoos to re-establish the population but this appears to be false.



“Admittedly, some original Norwegian-Swedish wolves can still be found in zoos outside Norway. But our wolves today aren’t closely related to them,” explained Stenøien.



Instead, it appears that wolves simply repopulated Norway in the 1980s by moving in from Finland. Today, there are more than 400 wolves living in the border region of Sweden and Norway as a shared population.&nbsp;



“The wolves in Norway and Sweden today most likely come from wolves that migrated from Finland."



According to Stenøien, it’s uncertain where exactly in Finland the wolves come from but genetically they appear Finnish as well as disturbingly lacking in genetic diversity.&nbsp;



“We haven’t found any indications of special or unique genetic adaptations in Norwegian-Swedish wolves. This lack of variation makes wolves vulnerable to various diseases and hereditary conditions."



The new Norwegian-Swedish wolves no longer face persecution from humans as their biggest danger. Instead, genetic vulnerability from inbreeding is the main threat facing the wolf population. Interestingly, the wolves contain very little dog genetics, possibly the least amount of dog genetics of any wolf population in the world.&nbsp;



As for how this research should be used, Stenøien leaves it up to others. “It’s not our task to comment on anything other than the facts from this study."



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By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

It's official: Humans killed off the Norwegian wolf

New research shows that wolves living in Norway and Sweden...

The extinct Haast’s eagle or harpagornis (Hieraaetus moorei) is the largest known eagle, having a ten-foot wingspan and four-inch talons. It roamed New Zealand’s skies around 800 years ago and was formally described for the first time by Julius von Haast in 1872. 



Since then, scientists have debated whether the extinct bird was a predator that killed other animals for food, or a scavenger that fed upon already dead <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dolphins-perform-a-spinning-dive-to-catch-deep-prey/">prey</a>.



A new study led by the <a href="https://www.une.edu.au/">University of New England</a>, Australia, and the <a href="https://www.canterburymuseum.com/">Canterbury Museum</a>, has found that, in fact, Haast’s eagle exhibited behaviors similar to both predators and scavengers. 



The scientists compared the skull, beak, and talons of Haast’s eagle with those of five living meat-eating birds - the whistling kite, the little eagle, the wedge-tailed eagle, the Cinereous vulture, and the Andean Condor.



While its beak and talons appeared similar to living eagles, the shape of its neurocranium was most similar to the Andean Condor, a South American vulture which is known to feed upon the soft internal organs of carcasses. These findings suggests that Haast’s eagle may have also eaten this way.



“Most eagles hunt prey that is smaller than them, but Haast's Eagle was going after moa that could weigh up to 200kg – more than 13 times their own body weight. Condors also often eat animals that are much larger than them, so it makes sense that they'd have similar feeding habits,” explained study co-author Paul Scofield, a paleontologist and senior curator of Natural History at the Canterbury Museum.



“When we picture a Haast's Eagle feeding we can imagine them swooping down on a moa, grabbing on with those huge talons and using its powerful beak to deliver the killing blow. Once the moa was down, the eagle would go straight for the back of the skull and for the guts and other soft organs.”



This new study, published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2021.1913">Proceedings of the Royal Society B</a>, paints a more complex picture of this fascinating creature, showing that it shared traits with both predators and scavengers.



Image Credit: Katrina Kenny



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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

Extinct raptor killed like an eagle, ate like a vulture

The extinct Haast’s eagle or harpagornis (Hieraaetus moorei) is the...

Food availability for ocean predators, in general, is rather low. In fact, captive marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-good-at-vocal-learning-can-fake-their-size/">animals</a> fed the average food concentrations, measured in the oceans using nets and pumps, do not survive. Since this phenomenon was originally investigated and described by Reuben Lasker in the 1970s, it is referred to as the Lasker food paradox.&nbsp;



In new research, a team led by Kelly Benoit-Bird of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute made use of sonar, or active acoustics, to get a better understanding of the distribution patterns of food in the ocean. The researchers attached acoustic sensors to a variety of platforms, including ships, profilers, moorings and autonomous vehicles, to send out and receive sound pulses about the distribution of ocean species.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"We're using systems much like those used to find the depth of the ocean, but instead of interpreting echoes from the seafloor, we're using more sensitive systems that allow us to map layers of life in the water," said Benoit-Bird. "What we've found is that animals of all different sizes, from millimeter-long plankton to large predators, are unevenly distributed, and this variation is really important to how life in the ocean functions."



The results show that ocean organisms are often aggregated in hotspot areas, that are missed by traditional sampling methods and tools. Such aggregations are found in all ocean habitats, from surface to very deep waters, and from the tropics to the poles. Organisms as diverse as plankton, fish, squid and whales all collect in patches rather than being evenly distributed throughout oceans.&nbsp;



This leads us to understand that ocean food and biota have a 3D distribution that varies with depth and location. Animals must find and exploit these small-scale aggregations of resources if they are to survive.&nbsp;



Benoit-Bird’s results explain the apparent paradox described by Lasker, who found that laboratory animals fed the average concentration of ocean food did not survive, but ocean-dwelling animals in the wild did. Oceanic animals do not survive on average food concentrations but are well-adapted to locating and capitalizing on patches of resources, thereby reducing their total energy expenditure in the process.&nbsp;



"For example, if a bucket's worth of popcorn was spread out evenly throughout the volume of a room, and you had to fly around to capture each kernel, you would spend a lot of energy searching and it would be hard to get enough to be full," Benoit-Bird said. "If instead, the popcorn was all grouped together, the popcorn would be a much more satisfying snack. The amount of popcorn is the same but changing how it is grouped determines whether you end up with a full belly.”



"Acoustic tools provide the high spatial resolution and long duration sampling to explore the processes that drive organismal interactions in the ocean. We must understand not only how many animals are in the ocean, but how they are distributed, if we are to effectively manage our living marine resources."



Benoit-Bird will be presenting the findings this week, at the 181st Meeting of the <a href="https://acousticalsociety.org/">Acoustical Society of America</a>.



---



By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Patches of plenty explain the ocean food paradox

Food availability for ocean predators, in general, is rather low....

Killer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humpback-whale-songs-are-used-to-locate-not-attract-other-whales/">whales</a> are opportunistic predators that hunt a variety of prey. They are intelligent and will often team up and work together to take down large prey successfully. In recent years, their hunting grounds in the Alaskan Arctic have changed due to the melting and receding ice, and this has given killer whales increased opportunities to utilize these areas, with the potential consequence of changing the ecological balance.



Brynn Kimber from the University of Washington, along with a team of scientists, used acoustic tools to monitor killer whale movements in areas of the Arctic Ocean over a period of eight years. They found that killer whales are spending more time in the Alaskan Arctic than previously recorded, despite risking being entrapped in the ice there. This change in behavior has been recorded directly following the decrease in sea ice in the area.



"It's not necessarily that killer whales haven't been reported in these areas before, but that they appear to be remaining in the area for longer periods of time," said Kimber. "This is likely in response to a longer open-water season."



Killer whale presence in the area may be related to the fact that, with less ice around, prey species that usually use ice to hide themselves, can no longer avoid detection or capture in this way.



"Although there is high spatial and interannual variability, the September Arctic sea ice minimum is declining at an average rate of 13% per decade, when compared to values from 1981 to 2010," said Kimber. "Killer whales are being observed in the Chukchi Sea (in the Arctic Ocean) in months that were historically ice covered and more consistently throughout the summer."



The earlier arrival and later departure of killer whales may have consequences for the ecology of this sensitive habitat. For example, populations of prey such as seals, bowhead whales and narwhals will be more exposed to predation and may experience increased mortality and decreased breeding success. This would have impacts at other levels of the food chain as well.



The findings of this research will be presented at the 181st Meeting of the <a href="https://acousticalsociety.org/">Acoustical Society of America</a>.



---



By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Melting Arctic ice gives killer whales new opportunities

Killer whales are opportunistic predators that hunt a variety of...

Tasmanian,Devil,Sitting,On,Branch,At,Cradle,Mountain,Breeding,And

Tasmanian devils are the largest carnivorous marsupial left in the world. While they are already living isolated in low population numbers, these unique animals are further threatened by a contagious cancer.&nbsp;



In an effort to monitor the rare marsupial without disrupting its behavior, scientists have developed a novel technique. The experts report that the whiskers of Tasmanian devils provide a glimpse into their individual life histories.&nbsp;



“We're using the devils’ whiskers to trace back through time," said study senior author Tracey Rogers. "Once dissected, the whiskers can act like the rings of a tree trunk, painting a picture of what the animals ate and how they lived up to a year ago.”



Previously, scientists were able to use whiskers to look at chemical signatures - but without a clear timeline. To construct a timeline for whisker chemical signatures, the researchers fed captive devils food with added heavy stable isotopes at different times over three months.&nbsp;



Using the isotopes as markers, the scientists were able to correlate them with whisker chemical signatures.&nbsp;



The experiment revealed that the whiskers grow quickly at first, but growth slowed over time before stopping. The researchers discovered that the whiskers can hold at least nine months of data in them. Using this information, the scientists can monitor the health of wild Tasmanian devils to help make sure that their populations are healthy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



It’s not just about devils, but also the health of entire ecosystems in Tasmania. “As Tasmania’s apex predator, devils play an essential role in maintaining ecosystem health,” explained Dr. Attard.



Furthermore, the devils play a unique role in the health of the island itself, which has many endemic plant and animal species.



Fortunately, Tasmanian devils are slowly recovering from devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), a contagious cancer, and the scientists hope to keep it that way.&nbsp;



“Tasmanian devil numbers are currently in recovery after the devastating effects of a highly transmissible cancer called the devil facial tumour disease, or DFTD," said study lead author Dr. Marie Attard, who worked on the research as part of her PhD.



"Since the discovery of this disease in 1990s, many healthy individuals have been translocated to disease-free areas or are part of captive breeding programs to help boost their numbers. This whisker analysis tool will significantly enhance their management in pre-existing and translocated wild populations.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/21508925">Ecosphere</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Whiskers reveal what Tasmanian devils ate months ago

Tasmanian devils are the largest carnivorous marsupial left in the...

According to a new <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/globalassets/downloads/bocc5/bocc5-report.pdf">report</a> from the bird charity organization <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/">RSPB</a>, over a quarter of UK bird species are currently under threat of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-clues-emerge-in-mass-extinction-mystery/">extinction</a> and thus in need of urgent conservation measures. Seventy species (29 percent of the total number of UK bird species) are now placed on the assessment’s Red List, containing bird species of “highest conservation concerns.”



These birds, including species such as the Swift, the House Martin, or the Greenfinch, are witnessing alarming declines in populations, raising concerns among scientists and conservationists that they may soon become extinct.



The Birds of Conservation Concern 5 report has been compiled by a coalition of UK’s leading bird conservation and monitoring organizations that are regularly reviewing the status of bird species in the UK, the Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. Each species is assessed against a set of objective criteria and placed on either the Green, Amber, or Red List, indicating increasing levels of conservation concerns.



“This is more evidence that the UK's wildlife is in freefall and not enough is being done to reverse declines,” warned the RSPB's CEO, Beccy Speight. “With almost double the number of birds on the Red List since the first review in 1996, we are seeing once common species such as Swift and Greenfinch now becoming rare.”



Bird species such as the Greenfinch and the Ptamirgan were moved from the 2015’s report Green List straight to this year’s Red List, while species that were previously on the intermediary Amber List, including the Swift, the House Martin, the Dunlin, the Goldeneye, the Smew, or the Purple Sandpiper, have also recently entered the Red List.



“As with our climate this really is the last chance saloon to halt and reverse the destruction of nature.&nbsp;We often know what action we need to take to change the situation, but we need to do much more, rapidly and at scale. The coming decade is crucial to turning things around,” concluded Speight.



The full details of the report can he found <a href="https://britishbirds.co.uk/content/status-our-bird-populations">here</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

More than a quarter of UK bird species are endangered

According to a new report from the bird charity organization...

A new study has found that Risso’s dolphins perform a rapid sprint coupled with a spin when starting a dive, although this highly energetic movement makes them consume much more energy than normal, slower dives. According to the scientists, the dolphins use this spin dive in order to find prey that resides deeper than 300 meters under the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/explosion-in-ocean-life-triggered-mountain-formation/">ocean</a> surface.



The research team analyzed data of over 250 dives recorded on biologging devices that they temporarily attached to seven dolphins, using suction-cups. “Our expectation was that these dives were foraging dives, to hunt squids,” said study lead author Fleur Visser, a researcher at the <a href="https://ibed.uva.nl/">Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics</a> at the University of Amsterdam, and the <a href="https://www.nioz.nl/en">NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research</a>.



“But at first we did not understand the purpose and why Risso’s dolphins would spend so much sprinting energy at the start of a dive.”



According to Visser and her colleagues, the sprint-and-spin movements before a dive make it possible for the dolphins to reach a great depth in a short period of time. Since they are air-breathing predators and have a limited time that they can spend at the depth, such movements are essential, enabling them to reach deep prey much faster and find more prey once they reached their desired depth.&nbsp;



The deep scattering layer in which the Risso dolphins hunt migrates up and down through the water column during each day, with prey hiding in layers over 300 meters deep during daytime, and emerging closer to the surface at dusk. The dolphins have adapted different hunting strategies depending upon the location of their prey.&nbsp;



“We were amazed by the stark contrast between when a spin and non-spin foraging dive is used. It is like flicking a switch,” said Visser. “And related to that, the really clear tracing of a prey layer, and having multiple strategies to hunt in it, depending on its depth.&nbsp;



“The Risso’s dolphins have adapted to be able to effectively hunt deep, next to shallow, circumventing the predator-avoidance strategy of their squid prey.”



Further studies are needed to better understand which types of prey the dolphins are hunting in deeper and shallower waters.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.202320">Royal Society Open Science</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

Dolphins perform a spinning dive to catch deep prey

A new study has found that Risso’s dolphins perform a...

With so many species of creatures in the world, it’s easy to forget that there are still many species that are currently undiscovered, and this is especially the case in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/explosion-in-ocean-life-triggered-mountain-formation/">ocean</a>. A recent example is Kyhytysuka, a Colombian marine reptile that dates back 130 million years.&nbsp;



The newly described reptile represents one of the last surviving subspecies of ichthyosaurs, a type of ancient marine animal that looks strikingly similar to a swordfish. However, Kyhytysuka had unique teeth that were unlike those shared by most ichthyosaurs.



“This animal evolved a unique dentition that allowed it to eat large prey,” explained Hans Larsson, director of the Redpath Museum at <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/">McGill University</a>. “Whereas other ichthyosaurs had small, equally sized teeth for feeding on small prey, this new species modified its tooth sizes and spacing to build an arsenal of teeth for dispatching large prey, like big fishes and other marine reptiles.”



“We decided to name it Kyhytysuka which translates to ‘the one that cuts with something sharp’ in an indigenous language from the region in central Colombia where the fossil was found, to honour the ancient Muisca culture that existed there for millennia,” said Dirley Cortes of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.



In addition to presenting a new family member of the species, the discovery has also changed how the evolutionary tree of ichthyosaurs is understood.&nbsp;



“We compared this animal to other Jurassic and Cretaceous ichthyosaurs and were able to define a new type of ichthyosaurs. This shakes up the evolutionary tree of ichthyosaurs and lets us test new ideas of how they evolved," explained Erin Maxwell from the State Natural History Museum of Stuttgart.



The researchers confirmed that the species originated in the transitional period of the Early Cretaceous. During this era, sea levels were rising and the Earth was warming up. In addition, the supercontinent Pangea was splitting into separate north and south continents.&nbsp;



The Early Cretaceous world was also recovering from the global extinction event that occurred at the end of the Jurassic era, which had drastically changed the ecosystems of marine life.



“Many classic Jurassic marine ecosystems of deep-water feeding ichthyosaurs, short-necked plesiosaurs, and marine-adapted crocodiles were succeeded by new lineages of long-necked plesiosaurs, sea turtles, large marine lizards called mosasaurs, and now this monster ichthyosaur,” explained Cortes.



“We are discovering many new species in the rocks this new ichthyosaur comes from. We are testing the idea that this region and time in Colombia was an ancient biodiversity hotspot and are using the fossils to better understand the evolution of marine ecosystems during this transitional time."



The research is published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tjsp20/current">Journal of Systematic Palaeontology</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:calumvaughan05@gmail.com">Calum Vaughan</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Ancient Columbian reptile looked like a swordfish

With so many species of creatures in the world, it’s...

The food we choose to eat every day has impacts not only on our health, but also on the environment and the lives of countless animals. Each EU citizen consumes an annual average of 950 kilograms of food and drink, which is comparable to the weight of a small car. Globally, the production of food has many potential consequences for the world in which we live.&nbsp;



Although many studies present details about the nutritional and health impacts of different foods, research relating to the environmental and animal impacts of different diets is less common. A “One Health” approach has the goal of optimal health outcomes for humans, animals, and the environment, but studies that apply this perspective to nutrition issues are still rare, said Juliana Paris of the Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the <a href="https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/">University of Bonn</a>, Germany,



To investigate, Paris and her colleagues compared the advantages and disadvantages of different diets based on their impacts on humans, animals, and the environment. The researchers initially established a reference diet by sampling the products selected at supermarkets in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.&nbsp;



"We then compared this reference diet with three different scenarios: a shift according to the recommendations of the German Nutrition Society (DGE), a shift to a Mediterranean diet with more fish and seafood, and a shift to a vegan diet," explained Paris.



In each of these three scenarios, the foods were chosen to differ as little as possible from the reference diet. "That means, for example, that in the Mediterranean version, we increased the proportion of fish and seafood, vegetables and grain products," Paris said.&nbsp;



In addition, the overall product selection contained the same nutrients in similar amounts as before. This gave the researchers a food basket for each scenario, which they then analyzed further.



"To do this, we relied on various databases," said Dr. Neus Escobar of the Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria, who supervised the work. "They enabled us, for example, to estimate the impact of each diet on certain environmental aspects – such as the amount of greenhouse gases produced during their production or the water consumption. We took a similar approach to assess the impact of each diet on health." Red meat, for example, is known to increase the risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular disease.



The researchers assessed the impact of each diet on animal welfare by using indicators such as the number of animals that die to fill human food needs, and the conditions under which animals are kept. "But we also used the number of neurons or the size of the brain in relation to the body to estimate the extent to which the respective animals actually suffer when they are used," explained Paris.



The results indicated that, although all three of the different dietary scenarios would represent an improvement over the original reference diet, in terms of environmental sustainability, all of them had disadvantages from the One Health perspective.&nbsp;



The vegan diet scored best in many areas, but the production of vegan food involves increased water consumption. "In addition, vegans need to take certain nutrients separately, such as vitamin B12, vitamin D and even calcium," Paris says. This indicates that a vegan diet may not be ideal from the point of view of human health.



The Mediterranean diet (although beneficial in terms of health) also results in increased water requirements in the production of nuts and vegetables. Moreover, the replacement of red meat with fish has negative impacts on animal welfare. As fish and seafood are much smaller than, for instance, cows or pigs, considerably more animals are killed in order to fulfil human protein needs.&nbsp;



"It’s therefore beneficial to meet less of your overall protein needs from animal sources," Neus Escobar emphasizes. "In addition, many people today have diets that are significantly too rich. If they reduced the amount of food they ate, to what they really need, it might have additional positive effects."



The study concludes that, although the DGE dietary recommendations are going in the right direction, the other two options are better in terms of human health. As far as animal welfare is concerned, the data show that if you do without meat and instead put whole grains, vegetables and fruit on your plate, you will have less impact on the animals that share our planet. A diet that relies less heavily on animal protein will be better for your health, and will also be less damaging to the animals and the environment.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/science-of-the-total-environment">Science of The Total Environment</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Eating less meat is better for animal welfare and environmental health

The food we choose to eat every day has impacts...

Feral cats threaten the survival of over 100 native species in Australia and have caused the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extinction-of-ancient-grazers-changed-fire-regimes/">extinction</a> of a large number of small to medium-sized mammal species and ground-dwelling birds. However, new technology developed by the <a href="https://www.unisa.edu.au/">University of South Australia</a> (UniSA) may provide a targeted method for controlling invasive feral cats.



“Feral cats present a catastrophic threat for Australia’s wildlife as they occur across more than 99 percent of Australia’s land area and kill more than&nbsp;815 million mammals&nbsp;each year, the majority of which are native species,” said project coordinator Kyle Brewer, a doctoral student at UniSA.



“Smaller, ‘meal size’ mammals are most at risk, especially ground-dwellers such as the bilby, bettong, and quoll. Efforts to remove feral cats from a native landscape have had limited success, making it near impossible to re-establish threatened native populations outside a fenced area. Invariably, when native mammal reintroduction schemes are activated, they’re swiftly wiped out by an incursive feral cat.”



By using chemistry principles, scientists from UniSA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unisa.edu.au/research/applied-chemistry-and-translational-biomaterials-actb/?_gl=1*n6bzcs*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE2MzA2NjMyNzcuQ2p3S0NBandqOGVKQmhBNUVpd0FnM3owbTR5MFRnT3ZDNnQ0MjFGaVJPMXNEVjRRRjVyVjMxRGFSQldCLXJCOFhsdDZhSVVjdjNfQWtSb0NTZDhRQXZEX0J3RQ..">Applied Chemistry and Translational Biomaterials Group</a>&nbsp;have created new, rice-sized&nbsp;Population Protecting Implants&nbsp;(PPIs) that are injected under the skin of native animals, where they remain inert until they are digested by a feral predator. The PPIs are covered by a protective coating and contain a toxin developed from natural plants that gets activated in the digestive system of the predator and kills it.&nbsp;



“By injecting native species with the PPI before they are reintroduced to their natural environment, we’re providing a protective buffer that aims to take out the feral invader in one stroke,” Brewer explained.



“If a feral cat successfully preys upon one of the PPI-injected mammals, it eats the implant, which activates in the cat’s gastric system causing poison release and death. Ultimately, this protects the remaining native animal population.”



Until now, 30 bilbies have been implanted with PPIs at&nbsp;<a href="https://aridrecovery.org.au/">Arid Recovery</a>, a 123 km2&nbsp;wildlife reserve in South Australia. If results from this first trial are positive, the technology will be commercialized and used for larger populations.



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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

Feral cats are a "catastrophic threat" to Australia’s wildlife

Feral cats threaten the survival of over 100 native species...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Great Lakes - Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario - captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission. 



According to ESA, the lakes represent the largest surface of freshwater in the world with a combined area of around 244,000 square kilometers, covering an area larger than the United Kingdom.



The lakes were formed around 100,000 years ago, when a massive ice sheet and giant glaciers transformed the landscape across most of Canada and part of the United States.&nbsp;



As the ice melted, holes left behind from glaciers filled with meltwater and formed thousands of lakes.



Video 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

The Great Lakes of North America

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Gulf of Morbihan, a natural harbor with numerous islands and islets in northwest France. 



In this region, Brittany is an important cultural center that is divided into four departments: Ille-et-Vilaine, Côtes d'Armor, Finistère, and Morbihan.



According to ESA, Brittany is known for its rich and varied agriculture including meats and dairy products and a variety of high quality fruit and vegetables.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The Gulf of Morbihan opens onto the Bay of Quiberon by a narrow passage between Locmariaquer and Port-Navalo.



Morbihan is known for its Alignements de Carnac, which consists of around 3,000 standing stones and megalithic tombs. The stones were erected during the Neolithic period, around 4500 BC.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Video 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

The Gulf of Morbihan in northwest France

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the exciting launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, which is set for December 22, 2021. It is the largest and most complex telescope ever sent into space, and the product of 40 million hours of work by thousands of scientists from around the world.&nbsp;



"Webb's launch is a pivotal moment that exemplifies the dedication, innovation, and ambition behind NASA and its partners, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency (CSA), but it is only the beginning," says NASA.



"The 29 days following liftoff will be an exciting but harrowing time. Thousands of parts must work correctly, in sequence, to unfold Webb and put it in its final configuration, all while it flies through the expanse of space alone, to a destination nearly one million miles away."&nbsp;



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&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

The James Webb Space Telescope will be launched this month

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Mar Chiquita, South America’s largest salt lake. Mar Chiquita is a protected wilderness area in the northeast province of Córdoba, Argentina.



The lake is around 70 kilometers long and 24 kilometers wide. It is fed by the Primero and Segundo rivers from the southwest, and by the Dulce river from the north.



Even though water flows in, there is no outlet for water to flow out of the lake. This makes Lake Mar Chiquita an endorheic lake that only loses water through evaporation.&nbsp;



According to ESA, the lake’s surface area, as well as its salinity, varies considerably between 2,000 and 6,000 square kilometers – although it is slowly shrinking in size due to evaporation.



Lake Mar Chiquita contains several small islands, including is El Médano, and is surrounded by salt marshes on its northern shore.



Video Credit: European Space Agency&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 Mar Chiquita in Argentina

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes a dramatic increase in high tide flooding across the eastern coast of the United States.



While many people think of sea level rise as being a future issue, the effects are already visible in cities such as Annapolis, Boston, New York, Norfolk, Charleston, and Miami.



High tide flooding, also known as sunny day flooding, is becoming more common as a result of slightly higher sea levels combined with seawater that is expanding as the oceans become warmer.&nbsp;



Annapolis, Maryland, in particular, has seen a major increase in floods over the past few years. City engineers are collaborating with a team from the Naval Academy to analyze data from NOAA and NASA and develop flood mitigation strategies.



During the first weekend of November&nbsp; 2021, the city of Charleston was hit with unusually high tides and widespread flooding for days. The high tide in Charleston Harbor reached 8.51 feet, which is the 10th highest level in the last century.



Between 1953 and 2000, Charleston had an average of eight minor flooding events per year. Over the last decade, this number has jumped to more than 41 annual flooding events, according to the National Weather Service.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&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

High tide flooding along the U.S. East Coast

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Markleeville,,California,Usa,-,July,17,,2021:,The,Tamarack,Fire

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> reports that space has untapped potential to help address the climate crisis.



According to ESA, climate change is the most urgent challenge faced by humankind - affecting every region, continent, and ocean on Earth.&nbsp;



By continuously observing the Earth, satellites can help us understand the impacts of climate change and predict the challenges that lie ahead.&nbsp;



Video Credit: European Space Agency&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

How satellites will help us tackle the climate crisis

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Tana River, which flows across 1,000 kilometers in Kenya from the Aberdare Mountains to the Indian Ocean.



According to ESA, the river is known for its extraordinary biodiversity and provides water for wild animals and agricultural purposes.



A recent study from the University of East Anglia revealed that wildlife on the Tana River Basin will struggle to survive the current rate of global warming.



On the other hand, if the world could meet the climate goals that were established at the Paris Agreement, however, many of these species could still be saved.



"This research provides the first assessment of the combined effects of development plans and climate change on biodiversity of the Tana River Basin, including identifying potential areas for restoration, and contributes to a greater understanding of biodiversity protection and adaptation options in Kenya," explained the study authors.&nbsp;



Climate and land use changes are the two biggest threats to biodiversity worldwide. The experts report that land degradation increases the vulnerability of biodiversity on the Tana River Basin. Here, 36 percent of the land has been converted for agriculture.&nbsp;



The researchers say that some ecosystem restoration may be necessary to best protect species in a changing climate.&nbsp;



"This research shows how many species within Kenya's Tana River Basin will be unable to survive if global temperatures continue to rise as they are on track to do," said study lead author Rhosanna Jenkins.



"But remaining within the goals of the Paris Agreement, which aims to keep global warming well below 2°C, ideally at 1.5°C, would save many species. This is because large areas of the basin act as refugia from climate change."



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

Kenya's most important waterway, the Tana River

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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. 



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.



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 climate 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.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. This region is one of the most famous places on the planet for viewing wildlife.



The Galápagos Islands are home to many native plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, including giant tortoises and sea lions.&nbsp;



When Charles Darwin visited the islands in 1835, his wildlife observations inspired the theory of evolution by natural selection. In 1959, the Ecuadorian government made the entire archipelago a national park to protect its unique diversity.&nbsp;



The archipelago is made up of 13 major islands and several smaller islands and islets across 60,000 square kilometers of ocean. According to ESA, repeated volcanic eruptions and ongoing seismic activity have helped form the rugged mountain landscape of the islands.&nbsp;



Video Credit: European Space Agency&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

The Galápagos Islands in the eastern Pacific

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes how missions of the past, present and future help us to understand the universe. 



Scientists collect large amounts of data from space missions. By combining various datasets and observations, we can learn how objects in the sky are changing and evolving.



Launched in February of 2020, Solar Orbiter is a mission that will address big questions about our solar system, including how the sun's magnetic field is generated.&nbsp;



One of the biggest questions about our universe is how it all began. The James Webb Space Telescope will allow scientists to take a look far into the past, revealing objects as they appeared billions of years ago.&nbsp;



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

Learning about our place in the universe

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Tarso Toussidé in the volcanic region of the Tibesti Mountain Range in Chad.&nbsp;



Toussidé is the second highest peak in Tibesti, and is believed to be among the youngest volcanoes in the region.&nbsp;



According to ESA, Toussidé has undergone a number of eruptions and lava flows, with the lava reaching lengths of 25 kilometers and covering an area of 200 square kilometers, appearing to have "stained" the ground in the process.&nbsp;



There is evidence that Toussidé is still active. On its summit, the volcano has a large number of openings, or fumaroles, that release hot water vapor. One of the Tibesti Mountain’s features is Tarso Toussidé. This image is a composite of images acquired by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor on NASA’s Landsat satellite on January 22, 2001, and February 1, 2000. Tibesti Mountains. The Tibesti Mountains are a mountain range in the central Sahara, primarily located in the extreme north of Chad, with a small extension into southern Libya. The highest peak in the range, Emi Koussi, lies to the south at a height of 3,445 metres (11,302 ft) and is the highest point in both Chad and the Sahara.











Video 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

Tarso Toussidé in the Tibesti Mountain Range

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features San Francisco Bay in California. The shallow estuary is surrounded by an extensive metropolitan area that includes major cities like San Francisco and Oakland. In the image, green forests and parks are easy to distinguish from urban areas.



The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta appears brown from sediment as it flows into San Pablo Bay. In the bottom right portion of the photo, salt ponds in the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge appear bright green and yellow. 



The Golden Gate Bridge is visible crossing the opening of the bay into the Pacific Ocean between Marin County and San Francisco. The bay was searchable as far south as San Jose until the 1850s, when hydraulic mining released large amounts of sediment from the rivers that settled in those parts of the bay that had little or no current.&nbsp;



Later on, the wetlands and inlets were deliberately filled in, reducing the Bay’s size since the mid-19th century by as much as one third. Recently, large areas of wetlands have been restored, further confusing the issue of the Bay’s size.



Despite its value as a waterway and harbor, many thousands of acres of marshy wetlands at the edges of the bay were, for many years, considered wasted space. As a result, soil excavated for building projects or dredged from channels was often dumped onto the wetlands and other parts of the bay as landfill.



Treasure, Angel and Alcatraz islands can also be seen in the photo, along with several bridges connecting the eastern and western shores of San Francisco Bay.



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

San Francisco Bay in western California

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Great Lakes of North America, including Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario.



According to NASA, the lakes represent the largest surface of freshwater in the world, with a combined area of around 244,000 square kilometers.



The Great Lakes were carved out around 100,000 years ago by a major ice sheet that developed over most of the United States and Canada. When temperatures rose, the meltwater filled the lakes. 



The lakes are important for transportation, migration, trade, and fishing. They also serve as a habitat for many diverse aquatic species. 



Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. Lake Michigan is the largest lake that is entirely within one country.



According to a study from <a href="https://www.yorku.ca/">York University</a>, a shocking number of lakes in the Northern Hemisphere may soon lose their ice cover for good.



The experts report that at the current rate of greenhouse gas emissions, about 5,700 lakes could permanently lose their ice by the end of this century, and 179 of them will become ice-free within the next decade.



The affected areas include large bays in some of the deepest of the Great Lakes, such as Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. These regions of North America could lose their ice by 2055, unless urgent action is taken to slow global warming.



“We need ice on lakes to curtail and minimize evaporation rates in the winter,” said study lead author Professor Sapna Sharma. “Without ice cover, evaporation rates would increase, and water levels could decline. We would lose freshwater, which we need for drinking and everyday activities. Ice cover is extremely important both ecologically and socio-economically.”



“Ice cover is also important for maintaining the quality of our freshwater. In years where there isn’t ice cover or when the ice melts earlier, there have been observations that water temperatures are warmer in the summer, there are increased rates of primary production, plant growth, as well as an increased presence of algal blooms, some of which may be toxic.”



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

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes how everyday houseplants can reduce indoor air pollution.



According to a study led by Vadoud Niri of the State University of New York at Oswego, buildings often contain high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as acetone, benzene, and formaldehyde. These chemicals come from a range of sources like paint, electronics, and cleaning products.



The researchers analyzed VOC removal by a variety of houseplants including jade, spider plant, bromeliad, caribbean tree cactus, and dracaena. Some plants were found to be better than others at absorbing specific compounds.



While all of the plants absorbed acetone, found in nail polish remover, the dracaena plant absorbed the highest amount at 94 percent. When placed indoors, this popular annual is useful in removing benzene and providing mood-enhancing beauty to the home.&nbsp;



Keep in mind that the gerbera daisy does best in warm temperatures, at 75 degrees or higher. With a leaf color that ranges from green to purple, this plant would be a gorgeous addition indoors or outdoors.



The bromeliad was the most effective plant at absorbing VOCs overall, removing more than 80 percent of the pollutants in just 12 hours.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&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

Houseplants reduce indoor air pollution

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/">USGS</a> describes how the ice fields of southern Chile have changed dramatically over the past three decades.



Landsat images reveal that the Erasmo Glacier retreated by three kilometers from 1987 to 2015. During this time frame, the end of the glacier shifted by about 4.3 kilometers. The melting glacial ice formed a proglacial lake that was cluttered with icebergs. By 2021, the water appears to be ice-free.



Chile is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with coastal storms becoming more frequent and intense. Average temperatures are expected to increase by as much as five degrees Celsius in Chile by the end of this century.



According to a recent report from World Bank, temperatures will continue to increase in Chile throughout the end of the century, regardless of the emissions scenario. 



Video Credit: USGS



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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

Dramatic changes across the ice fields of southern Chile

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Human impact on Earth's freshwater resources revealed Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/video">NASA Goddard</a> reveals the surprising influence that humans have on Earth's freshwater resources.

In the first study to assess seasonal variability in water bodies worldwide, researchers have discovered that water levels in human-managed reservoirs fluctuate about four times more compared to natural lakes and ponds. 

"We tend to think of the water cycle as a purely natural system: Rain and snowmelt run into rivers, which run to the ocean where evaporation starts the whole cycle again," said study lead author Sarah Cooley of Brown University. "But humans are actually intervening substantially in that cycle. Our work demonstrates that humans are responsible for a majority of the seasonal surface water storage variability on Earth."

The study was focused on data from NASA's Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat-2). The primary goal of the ICESat-2 mission is to track changes in the thickness and elevation of ice sheets around the world. The measurements are obtained using a laser altimeter, and elevation is calculated to an accuracy of 25 millimeters. 

The satellite measured seasonal water levels in more than 227,000 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs worldwide from October 2018 to July 2020. The water bodies ranged in size from the American Great Lakes to ponds with areas less than one tenth of a square mile. 

The study revealed that while natural lakes and ponds varied seasonally by an average of .22 meters, human-managed reservoirs varied by .86 meters. This means that, when compared to natural lakes, reservoirs account for 57 percent of the total variation. 

Human influence on freshwater resources was found to beP even stronger in arid regions like the Middle East, American West, India and Southern Africa, where seasonal variability attributed to human activity exceeds 90 percent.

"Of all the volume changes in freshwater bodies around the planet - all the floods, droughts and snowmelt that push lake levels up and down - humans have commandeered almost 60% of that variability," said study co-author Professor Laurence Smith. 

"That's a tremendous influence on the water cycle. In terms of human impact on the planet, this is right up there with impacts on land cover and atmospheric chemistry."

Video Credit: NASA Goddard

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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

Human impact on Earth's freshwater resources revealed

Human impact on Earth's freshwater resources revealed Today's Video of...

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The Vatnajökull ice cap in southeast Iceland Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features a Copernicus Sentinel-2 view of the Vatnajökull ice cap in southeast Iceland.

Vatnajökull is the biggest glacier in Europe, covering an area of more than 3,200 square miles. 

The ice cap has about 30 outlet glaciers, many of which are shrinking as a result of rising temperatures. One of these glaciers, Vatnajökull, is positioned over some of the most active volcanoes in Iceland such as Bárðarbunga and Grímsvötn.

On the southern side of Vatnajökull, the Jökulsárlón glacial lake has grown to become Iceland's deepest lake. Because it connects with the ocean, the lake contains both seawater and freshwater. 

The island was governed as an independent commonwealth under the Althing, therefore being  of the world's oldest functioning legislative assemblies. Also there is  a period of civil strife, Iceland acceded to Norwegian rule in the 13th century. The establishment of the Kalmar Union in 1397 united the kingdoms of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Iceland also followed Norway's integration into that union, coming under Danish rule after Sweden's secession from the union in 1523.  The capital and largest city is Reykjavík

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

The Vatnajökull ice cap in southeast Iceland

The Vatnajökull ice cap in southeast Iceland Today's Video of...

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The Galápagos Islands in the eastern Pacific Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. This region is one of the most famous places on the planet for viewing wildlife.

The Galápagos Islands are home to many native plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, including giant tortoises and sea lions. 

When Charles Darwin visited the islands in 1835, his wildlife observations inspired the theory of evolution by natural selection. In 1959, the Ecuadorian government made the entire archipelago a national park to protect its unique diversity. 

The archipelago is made up of 13 major islands and several smaller islands and islets across 60,000 square kilometers of ocean. According to ESA, repeated volcanic eruptions and ongoing seismic activity have helped form the rugged mountain landscape of the islands. The older names remained in use in English-language publications, including Herman Melville's The Encantadas of 1854.  Therefore Galapagos owns one of the provinces of Ecuador, made up of three cantons that consist  the names of its most populated islands, which are San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz and Isabela. 

The largest of the Galapagos Islands, Isabela, was formed when multiple Volcanism has been continuous on the Galápagos Islands for at least 20 million years, and possibly  even longer. The mantle plume beneath the east side of volcanoes merged into one single land mass. The Galápagos Archipelago is characterized by large contemporaneous volcanoes, some with plume magma sources, others from the <a title="Asthenosphere" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthenosphere">asthenosphere</a>, 

Video Credit: European Space Agency 

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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

The Galápagos Islands in the eastern Pacific Today's Video of...

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Satellites help keep people safe from algae blooms Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how satellites are helping scientists monitor recreational sites for potentially harmful algae blooms.

Kate Fickas of Utah State University uses satellite images to make sure the water is safe for people and pets.

“I grew up swimming in the Willamette River in Oregon, and diving in lakes over the summer,” said Fickas. “So it means a lot to me that I’m able to not only help develop algorithms for monitoring cyanobacteria blooms, which is interesting in itself, but to be able to take that next step and keep the public safe, and allow them to safely recreate and enjoy the water the way that I do.”

Blooms occur when the populations of algae, phytoplankton, and cyanobacteria explode in numbers as a result of warm temperatures and excessive nutrients.

Fickas noted that many water bodies in Utah meet those conditions, especially with warming temperatures due to climate change, as well as nutrient runoff from agricultural fields and other sources.

Satellites such as Landsat 8 can detect when a lake changes color due to outbreaks of algae. 

Video Credit: NASA Goddard 

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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

Satellites help keep people safe from algae blooms

Satellites help keep people safe from algae blooms Today's Video...

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The Amazon River in South America Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features a satellite view of the Amazon River in the rainforest of South America.

The Amazon River flows more than 4,000 miles from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean on the northeast coast of Brazil, passing through six countries along the way.

The Amazon is considered the widest river in the world, as well as the largest drainage system, with more than 1,100 tributaries. 

These rivers provide a range of habitats for various types of wildlife, including swamps, marshes. and streams.

According to WWF, it is estimated that approximately one-sixth of all the freshwater that drains into the world's oceans goes through the Amazon delta, where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean.

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

The Amazon River in South America

The Amazon River in South America Today's Video of the...