Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory </a>&nbsp;features the port city of Derna on the northeastern coast of Libya, where heavy rainfall caused catastrophic flooding that killed thousands of people.&nbsp;



"On September 10 and 11, over 100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end of a long, narrow valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season," explained NASA.



"Floods triggered two dams along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just one kilometer inland of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the city. According to news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods out to sea."



The image was captured by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18. It shows the eroded banks of Wadi Derna, and muddy water off the coast.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna," said NASA.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



—--



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

Aftermath of catastrophic flooding in Derna, Libya

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

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory </a>&nbsp;features the western region of Morocco, where a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck on September 8, 2023. The violent earthquake killed thousands of people and many are still missing more than a week later.



"The damage proxy map shown above is a NASA Earth Observatory version of a map created by the Earth Observatory of Singapore - Remote Sensing Lab (EOS-RS). The map uses modified Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite data processed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and with software originally developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech," said NASA.



"To map the landscape, including buildings, Sentinel-1’s radar sends pulses of microwaves toward Earth’s surface and 'listens' for reflected echoes of those waves. In the map above, the damage proxy data from EOS-RS was laid over a Landsat 9 image and combined with a digital elevation model based on data collected by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission."



According to NASA, the most severe destruction occurred in small rural villages in the High Atlas Mountains. Near the epicenter, entire communities were destroyed.



A resident of the town of Tinzert, Hakim Idlhousein, told CNN that it took just 10 seconds for his whole village to disappear. The homes have been reduced to rubble, and the survivors are still waiting for government aid. These hardest-hit regions have been difficult to reach after roads were destroyed by the earthquake.&nbsp;



"Help has been slow to come and has so far mostly consisted of food and water brought up into the mountains in private cars by volunteers from across Morocco," reported CNN.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



—--



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

Entire villages destroyed by earthquake in the High Atlas Mountains

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Cook Strait, which separates New Zealand's North and South Islands.



"Named after James Cook, who was the first European to sail through it, the PoipuCook Strait is just 23 km wide at its narrowest point, so on a clear day it is possible to see across the strait. However, it is also renowned as one of the roughest and most unpredictable stretches of water in the world, owing to strong winds, conflicting currents and variable tides," says ESA.



"This dynamic environment is depicted here by the various shades of blue in the water and swirls. Both shores feature steep cliffs which, in the image, result in the white colour caused by the big waves crashing against the rocky coast."



New Zealand is a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, consisting of two main islands, both marked by volcanoes and glaciation. It is known for its stunning and diverse landscapes, which include beaches, mountains, forests, lakes, and farmland. The capital city is Wellington, while the most populous city is Auckland, both located in the North Island.



The country is renowned for its strong commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability. It has a diverse economy with key sectors including tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and services. New Zealand is famous for its dairy industry, especially the export of products like milk and cheese.



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



—--



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

Cook Strait, New Zealand

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Mendenhall Glacier - a stunning glacier located about 13 miles from downtown Juneau in Southeast Alaska. Mendenhall is easily accessible and is visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year.&nbsp;



The photograph was captured on July 28, 2023 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8. When compared to a previous image captured in 1985 by Landsat 5, scientists found that Mendenhall had retreated by about one mile.



According to NASA, thinning has also taken a toll on the glacier during the past four decades, causing it to narrow by about 2,000 feet at the bend closest to its front.



"Mendenhall Glacier started retreating in the mid-1700s following a period of glaciation that began 3,000 years ago. But in recent decades, Alaska has been warming twice as fast as the rest of the United States, helping to push the region’s glaciers into an especially steep decline," said NASA.



"The Juneau Icefield, of which Mendenhall Glacier is a part, lost 63 out of 1,050 small glaciers inventoried between 2005 and 2019. During that same period, the icefield lost 10 percent of its glacier area."



The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center provides excellent views of the glacier and offers interpretive programs about the natural history of the glacier. The center is a popular destination for tourists visiting Juneau.



There are several activities available for tourists including guided walks, boat tours, and even ice cave explorations. The glacier and its surroundings also offer opportunities for wildlife viewing.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



—--



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

Mendenhall Glacier in Southeast Alaska

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 a dark patch of water located east of the Delmarva Peninsula. The image was captured on May 6, 2023 by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite.&nbsp;



"The bright, silvery appearance of much of the water is due to sunglint - an optical phenomenon that occurs when sunlight reflects off the surface of the water at the same angle that a satellite sensor views it. The result is mirror-like specular reflection that shows up as long, bright areas in MODIS data," explains NASA.



"The 'roughness' of the water surface can influence how sunglint areas appear in MODIS images - sometimes creating distinctive patterns within them. Most of the time, winds create enough waves and choppiness in the water that light gets reflected in a variety of directions (diffuse reflection) as it hits the sea surface."&nbsp;



With weaker winds, the sea surface is smooth. This was the case at the time the photograph was captured along the U.S. East Coast.



Scott Bachmeier is a research meteorologist with the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.



“Within a region of light winds, the appearance of the rather flat underlying water surface - either darker than adjacent water, or extremely bright - depends on the sun-satellite geometry,” explains Bachmeier.



Chuanmin Hu is a professor of Optical Oceanography at the University of South Florida.



“In this case, the dark features were likely areas with very weak winds,” says Professor Hu. ”But other things that change the ‘roughness’ of the water can lead to changes in sunglint patterns as well. These include oil slicks, freshwater slicks, ship wakes, ocean circulation, internal waves, and ocean circulation.”



“Some of the narrow dark features inside Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay may be partly due to freshwater, but freshwater slicks are not generally as large as the main dark patch visible east of the Delmarva Peninsula."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



—--



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

Dark features appear near the Delmarva Peninsula

Over the past 20 years, the world has witnessed a concerning decline in coral reefs, a crucial ecosystem that supports about 25 percent of all marine life. Extreme weather events have primarily driven this loss of reefs, particularly due to widespread <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rescue-underway-florida-is-battling-an-unprecedented-coral-bleaching-crisis/">coral bleaching</a>.



The Great Barrier Reef, the world's most extensive coral reef system, has not been spared, with a shocking 91% of its reefs undergoing bleaching in the years 2016 and 2017.



As the frequency and intensity of mass bleaching events is expected to increase in the near future, scientists have been urgently searching for countermeasures.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reef-restoration-nbsp">Reef restoration&nbsp;</h2>



The Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP) is dedicated to creating strategies to help coral reefs withstand and bounce back from the rising ocean temperatures.&nbsp;



A recent study led by Dr. Peter Butcherine from <a href="https://www.scu.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Cross University</a> has revealed a potential new solution to help corals recover by shading them. As part of the RRAP, the researchers examined the effectiveness of shading on two coral species.



The study primarily focused the yellow scroll coral (Turbinaria reniformis) and whisker coral (Duncanopsammia axifuga).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-promising-results">Promising results</h2>



By reducing sunlight by 30% for a span of four hours around solar noon, the onset of coral bleaching in certain shallow corals can be slowed down, according to the study. This approach to intermittent shading was shown to ease the impact of light stress.



The experts found that shaded corals bleached significantly less than unshaded ones, and corals that were shaded for 24 hours bleached less than those shaded for four hours. Higher water temperatures also favored bleaching.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shade-as-a-refuge">Shade as a refuge</h2>



The research also introduced the concept of degree heating weeks (DHW). Once water temperatures surpass the maximum monthly average by more than 1°C, corals begin to accumulate DHW.&nbsp;



Crossing a threshold of four consecutive degree heating weeks can lead to considerable coral bleaching. Interestingly, shading proved effective in delaying the bleaching response by up to three DHW.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-interactions">Complex interactions</h2>



Not all corals react to shading in the same manner. For instance, while the yellow scroll coral benefited from just four hours of daily shading, the whisker coral needed a 24-hour shading period to showcase a positive response.&nbsp;



“The complex nature of coral interactions with their environment means there are likely to be a range of responses to shading. We showed that coral species can respond differently when shaded, but these differences were not necessarily detrimental, just different from each other,” explained Dr. Butcherine.



While shading offers some reprieve, it might not be enough during intense and prolonged marine heatwaves, noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shading-reefs">Shading reefs</h2>



"This work directly informs the development of cooling and shading interventions to help protect the Great Barrier Reef during future bleaching events,” said Dr Daniel Harrison, a researcher at Southern Cross University and program lead of RRAP Cooling and Shading.&nbsp;



“Coral reefs are a critically important ecosystem so it is vital to investigate all the possible ways we can help them survive climate change.”



There are several ways to shade reefs, including the use of artificial coverings and seawater fogging systems.&nbsp;



“The focus of the fogging technologies we are developing is for deployment at an individual reef site of some tens of hectares in size,” said Harrison.&nbsp;



The team’s efforts are currently aimed at localized cooling and shading of small high-value reef environments.



“Our trials show some promising results, but there is still more research and development required before the current technologies are ready for scaled up deployment in the field,” Harrison concluded.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1162896" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



—-



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

Shading the Great Barrier Reef may slow coral bleaching

Over the past 20 years, the world has witnessed a...

Europa,One,Of,Jupiters,Moons,Its,Surface,Is,A,Ice

In a revolutionary discovery that further intensifies the debate surrounding extraterrestrial life, astronomers utilizing NASA’s <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a> have detected the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Europa_carbon-discovery-image_JWST_1big.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a> on Jupiter’s moon, Europa. 



This vital find opens the gateway to a plethora of speculations and possibilities regarding the existence of conditions conducive to life, considering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stealth-ocean-discovered-on-one-of-saturns-moons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa</a> is one of the few worlds in our solar system believed to potentially harbor life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beneath-the-icy-crust-a-saltwater-ocean">Beneath the icy crust: A saltwater ocean</h2>



Previous studies highlighted the existence of a salty ocean beneath Europa’s water-ice crust, concealing a rocky seafloor. However, what eluded scientists was the confirmation of whether this ocean housed life-essential chemicals, specifically carbon. 



The breakthrough findings from the Webb have now identified <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Europa_carbon-discovery-image_JWST_2big.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2</a> in a region known as Tara Regio on Europa's icy surface, an area also known for its “chaos terrain” due to the disrupted surface ice and indications of material exchange between the ocean and the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-source-of-carbon-an-internal-gift">Source of carbon: An internal gift</h2>



Analysis reveals this identified carbon likely originates from the subsurface ocean and is not a product of external entities like meteorites, dismissing prior uncertainties regarding its origin. Its presence in a geologically young area suggests its deposition on a relatively recent timescale, adding a crucial layer to our understanding of Europa’s potential habitability.



“Understanding the chemistry of Europa’s ocean will help us determine whether it’s hostile to life as we know it, or if it might be a good place for life,” stated Geronimo Villanueva of NASA’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goddard Space Flight Center</a>, the lead author of one of the illuminating papers describing the findings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-extraterrestrial-life">Implications for extraterrestrial life</h2>



These revelations bear immense significance as they not only strengthen the claims of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-confirms-an-ocean-on-europa-may-be-habitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa’s ocean</a> potentially being a refuge for life but also help to decipher the intricate chemical composition of the ocean. 



Carbon, being the backbone of life as we comprehend it, its presence and origin in Europa provide pivotal insights into the conditions and possibilities of life on this distant moon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-ocean-surface-connection">Insights into ocean-surface connection</h2>



There has been extensive debate among scientists about the extent of connectivity between Europa’s ocean and its surface. 



“This suggests that we may be able to learn some basic things about the ocean’s composition even before we drill through the ice to get the full picture,” Villanueva added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-s-near-infrared-spectrograph">Webb's Near-Infrared Spectrograph</h2>



The utilization of the integral field unit of Webb’s <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/content/observatory/instruments/nirspec.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Near-Infrared Spectrograph</a> (NIRSpec) enabled astronomers to pinpoint the location of specific chemicals, giving an unprecedented glimpse into the chemical localization on Europa’s surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-for-future-missions">Significance for future missions</h2>



The discoveries not only shape the direction of future research endeavors but also form the basis for upcoming missions, notably NASA’s <a href="https://europa.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa Clipper</a> spacecraft, set to launch in October 2024. It is designed to perform numerous close flybys of Europa to delve deeper into its potential to support life. 



Additionally, these findings will significantly inform ESA’s forthcoming <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Juice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer</a> (JUICE) mission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plume-activity-a-continuous-enigma">Plume activity: A continuous enigma</h2>



While the new data does not reveal any evidence of plume activity, it does establish a stringent upper limit on the rate of material potentially being ejected. However, the non-detection of plumes doesn’t conclusively rule out their existence. 



“All we can say with 100% confidence is that we did not detect a plume at Europa when we made these observations with Webb,” stated Heidi Hammel from the <a href="https://www.aura-astronomy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy</a>.



In summary, the revelation of carbon dioxide on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jupiters-moons-are-warming-each-other-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa’s surface</a> is a monumental stride in our pursuit of extraterrestrial life, enriching our understanding of this distant moon and its ocean’s chemistry. As researchers continue to unravel Europa’s mysteries, the knowledge acquired will be pivotal for forthcoming missions and explorations, potentially rewriting our understanding of life in the universe. 



The publication of these groundbreaking findings in Science stands as a testament to the unrelenting human endeavor to reach beyond the known and explore the unseen realms of our universe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-europa">More about Europa</h2>



Jupiter's moon, Europa, draws attention as one of the most intriguing celestial bodies in our solar system due to its potential to harbor life. With its icy façade and underlying mysteries, Europa kindles curiosity and exploratory fervor among scientists and space enthusiasts.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concealed-oceanic-wonder">Concealed oceanic wonder</h3>



Beneath its icy shell, Europa conceals a vast ocean of salty liquid water. Scientists believe that this ocean harbors twice the amount of water found on Earth, making it a prime location in the search for extraterrestrial life. The icy crust encapsulating this ocean possibly ranges from 10 to 30 kilometers in thickness, acting as a shield against Jupiter's harsh radiation belts.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tantalizing-geology">Tantalizing geology</h3>



Europa presents a dynamic and complex geological surface. It possesses a predominantly water-ice surface, intertwined with a myriad of fractures and ridges. Some areas, known as "chaos terrains," exhibit disrupted and restructured ice, indicative of potential exchanges between the subsurface ocean and the surface, a phenomenon that further fuels scientific inquiries into Europa's internal activities.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnetic-field-mysteries">Magnetic field mysteries</h3>



The magnetic field measurements taken by the Galileo spacecraft hint at the existence of a subsurface conductive layer, speculated to be Europa's salty ocean. This presumed ocean could be a host to hydrothermal vents on the seafloor, which, on Earth, support diverse and robust ecosystems, fostering hopes for the presence of life in Europa's dark, submerged world.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-radiation-scarred-surface">Radiation-scarred surface</h3>



Europa endures a relentless bombardment of intense radiation from Jupiter’s magnetic field, which scars its surface and creates a hostile environment. However, this radiation also interacts with the icy surface to produce oxidants, compounds that could potentially fuel life in the subsurface ocean.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-for-astrobiology">Potential for astrobiology</h3>



The presence of essential elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, and now, as recent discoveries suggest, carbon dioxide, elevate Europa's status as a prime candidate in the search for life beyond Earth. Scientists postulate that the interplay between the irradiated surface and the concealed ocean could generate the chemical energy necessary for life to thrive.



Europa, with its concealed ocean and compelling geological features, stands as a beacon in our pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. The prospect of life in its hidden, watery realms propels scientific investigations and explorations, seeking to expand our knowledge of our solar system and life's existence within it. As advancements in technology pave the way for more in-depth explorations, Europa continues to tantalize our imaginations and beckon us closer to uncovering its secrets.



---



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



---



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth.com</a>.

More evidence discovered that alien life exists on Jupiter’s moon Europa

In a revolutionary discovery that further intensifies the debate surrounding...

Adult,Cuckoo,Male,Perched,On,Branch

Climate change is reshaping bird habitats and populations across the United Kingdom, presenting both challenges and opportunities for native and migratory species. 



Scientists note that this environmental shift is producing "winners and losers" among bird populations, impacting not only the avian residents but also the bird-watching community in Britain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-new-sightings-the-winners">Rising new sightings: The winners</h2>



According to a recent report by the BBC, bird enthusiasts in the UK are witnessing unprecedented sightings of non-native species, such as the black-winged stilts and bee-eaters -- migrants previously seldom seen on British shores. 



Bird species like reed warblers are leveraging the extended, warmer summers to increase their progeny, while others like the Cetti's warbler, which colonized the UK decades ago, are progressively extending their range north.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diminishing-native-species-the-losers">Diminishing native species: The losers</h2>



Conversely, the shifting climate is posing significant threats to species like cuckoos and willow warblers, which are experiencing sharp declines in Southern Britain. Dr. Dave Leech, the Head of Ringing at the <a href="https://www.bto.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Trust for Ornithology</a>, spoke to the BBC about the precarious plight of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cuckoos-are-unable-to-change-their-migrations-in-response-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cuckoos</a>, stating their populations are in "free fall." 



The changing climate is reducing the availability of food, impeding these birds' ability to refuel before their strenuous journey back over the Sahara to over-winter in Africa. The worry is that future generations might miss out on the distinctive calls of cuckoos, a sound once synonymous with British wildlife.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-multi-faceted-pressure-on-bird-populations">Multi-faceted pressure on bird populations</h2>



The precarious balance of the avian ecosystem in the UK is not solely attributed to climate change. Loss of natural habitats like meadows and hedgerows, combined with the usage of pesticides, has led to a decline in nearly half of all bird species in the country. 



The British Trust for Ornithology reports a substantial decrease in the number of wild birds in Britain, witnessing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/half-of-all-uk-bird-species-are-in-a-state-of-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a drop of 73 million</a> since 1970.



Dr. Leech emphasizes that the changing climate is particularly impactful for migratory birds, which are grappling with extreme weather conditions across various continents, affecting their breeding, wintering, and migrational paths that span thousands of kilometers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategic-monitoring-and-mitigation">Strategic monitoring and mitigation</h2>



The continuous efforts of bird ringers and volunteers have been instrumental in monitoring these changes in bird populations, providing valuable insights into their decline. 



Peter, a seasoned bird ringer from Gloucestershire, points out to the BBC that climate change, predominantly driven by human activities, will result in alterations in the avian landscape. While some <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/the-12-endangered-birds-most-at-risk-of-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species may disappear</a>, others could become commonplace, shifting the avian biodiversity of the region.



Collecting and analyzing ringing data is crucial for devising effective mitigation strategies against the adverse effects of climate change on bird species. Understanding these shifts will enable more informed conservation strategies, aiming to preserve the rich and diverse bird life in the UK.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-and-conserving-bird-populations">Preserving and conserving bird populations</h2>



In summary, the interplay between climate change and avian species is unveiling a new pattern in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-populations-are-declining-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird sightings</a> in the UK. While this shift might excite bird lovers with the presence of new species, the decline of traditional inhabitants like the cuckoo raises concerns about the long-term impacts on the biodiversity of the region. 



The proactive role of bird ringers, scientists, and volunteers is essential in monitoring and mitigating the repercussions of these environmental shifts, ensuring the sustenance of diverse bird species for future generations to experience and enjoy.



---



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



---



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth.com</a>.

Bird populations in the UK are being decimated by climate change

Climate change is reshaping bird habitats and populations across the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector"><div class="s2nPlayer-X9vcFxJD9Z-1669613-12187" data-type="single"></div>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//embed.sendtonews.com/player2/embedcode.php?SC=X9vcFxJD9Z-1669613-12187&cid=12187&autoplay=on" data-type="s2nScript"></script>
</div>



Today&#8217;s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Arctic region of Lapland, which is known for its vast wilderness, ski resorts, and natural wonders such as the Northern Lights.



Lapland is Finland’s northernmost region, and borders Sweden, Norway, Russia, and the Baltic Sea. It is also bound by the Norwegian Sea on the west, the Barents Sea on the north, and the White Sea to the east.



In the winter months, Lapland has temperatures of below zero and the Northern Lights, or the Aurora Borealis, can he viewed in the night sky.



The capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi, is considered the official hometown of Santa Claus. Here, the Arctic Circle runs through Santa Claus Village, which is located eight kilometers north of the city center.&nbsp;



Finland is one of the places in the Arctic Circle where you can experience the Midnight Sun, or 24 hours of sunshine in the summer, as well as the Polar Night, when the sun does not appear in the winter. The northern and western areas were transferred in 1809 to Oulu County, which became Oulu Province. Under the royalist constitution of Finland during the first half of 1918, Lapland was to become a Grand Principality and part of the inheritance of the proposed king of Finland. 



Video Credit: ESA



&#8212;



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

The northern European region of Lapland