Latest news with #SchoolofBiologicalSciences
The Star
4 days ago
- Science
- The Star
New model helps conservationists predict wildlife responses to climate change: study
The model was tested in the Peruvian rainforest. - AFP SYDNEY: A team of international researchers has developed a powerful new tool to help conservationists predict how wildlife will adapt to climate change and interact with new ecosystems. The study offered a more targeted approach to protecting biodiversity, according to a press release on Friday (May 30) from Australia's Monash University that led the research. As rising global temperatures force many species to shift from their traditional habitats, conservationists face the challenge of predicting how these species will interact with new environments and the species already living there, the press release said. The new model addresses this challenge by offering a comprehensive framework to forecast both habitat suitability and species interactions in shifting ecosystems, it said. Lead researcher Matthias Dehling from Monash University's School of Biological Sciences said the model seeks to tackle a key challenge in conservation, the limited data available for many species, particularly regarding their interactions with other species. "The model addresses that problem by borrowing data and observations from similar species to model where a species will occur and with which species they will interact," Dehling said, adding that this is particularly valuable in scenarios involving species translocation, rewilding efforts, or managing the impact of invasive species. Unlike traditional methods that separately model environmental preferences and species interactions, this new model integrates both, using biological traits such as size and beak shape to anticipate how species might behave in novel ecosystems, said the study published in Ecology Letters. The model was tested in the Peruvian rainforest and is now set for use in conservation efforts in New Zealand and possibly Antarctica, according to the project in partnership with New Zealand's University of Canterbury and Bioprotection Aotearoa, as well as Germany's Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries. - Xinhua
HKFP
03-05-2025
- Science
- HKFP
‘Every lost life is a lost life': University of Hong Kong scholar studies why campus is hotspot for bird-window collisions
In a laboratory of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), Professor Juha Merilä put on a pair of rubber gloves, took some brown envelopes out of a refrigerator, and placed them on a tray. From each envelope, he carefully extracted a plastic bag, each containing a deceased bird. 'This is a Swinhoe's white-eye,' he said, gently placing one small bird after another on their respective envelopes. The two birds had yellow-olive upperparts and pale grey underparts. A piece of paper was attached to each envelope, marking the date, species, location, and suspected cause of death. The carcasses of the two birds were found and collected on the same day in January at the Sun Yat Sen stairs, right next to HKU's Knowles Building, located just below a connecting bridge with a row of glass windows. They likely died after colliding with the building's windows, said Ton Yeh, a part-time birdwatcher working with Merilä to record and compile data on bird strikes on campus. Merilä – a Finnish scholar specialising in ecology and biodiversity – has been collecting and monitoring data on bird-window collisions on the HKU campus for the past two years, aiming to map unnatural bird deaths, identify reasons for the high occurrence, and analyse patterns. Based on his own tally, as well as figures from the government and other sources, at least 152 birds have been found dead at several locations at HKU over the past five years. Located at the western end of the Mid-Levels district, the 114-year-old university is famous as Hong Kong's oldest higher education institution. Little known is its reputation as one of the sites that pose a deadly threat to flying birds in the city. The HKU campus, dotted with modern glass-panelled buildings, is one of the bird-window collision hotspots in Hong Kong, Merilä said. He chose to focus his research on HKU partly because of the accessibility, partly to collect more comprehensive data following an earlier study about bird collisions, conducted by nonprofit Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (HKBWS). 'We are hoping HKU can be a model to hopefully extend what we've learnt [here about bird collisions] to other areas of Hong Kong,' he said. 'Preserving, protecting birds and other wildlife gives positive benefits for humans. Biodiversity matters for our well-being and that of birds, as part of the ecosystem which provides for us,' Merilä said. Between September 2022 and August 2023, the HKBWS carried out surveys in five locations across Hong Kong: HKU, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Mei Foo, Tsing Yi, and Tsim Sha Tsui, combining them with data from public reports. A total of 284 birds were killed and 25 injured in 16 districts during the one-year period, according to a report the NGO published in September. A large-scale survey of bird collisions that covers all districts is needed for a comprehensive analysis of the risk factors for incidents specific to Hong Kong, said Wong Suet-mei, senior conservation officer at the HKBWS. Currently, data collection on bird strikes heavily relies on voluntary reporting by members of the public, she added. Binocular vision Merilä's efforts to document dead birds on campus found support from the student-run Ecology & Biodiversity Society (EBS), part of the HKU student union. In January, the society published an essay unpacking the reasons behind the deaths of over 150 birds on campus since 2020, citing his study. It was widely shared on social media, racking up over 40,000 views. 'We have a rich biodiversity of bird species around the HKU campus and near Lung Fu Shan Country Park, where birds pass by or rest,' said Vanessa Ng, an EBS spokesperson. However, she added, most students were oblivious to bird-window collisions and were surprised to learn that their school was a hotspot. Birds are sometimes unable to perceive glass panels while flying due to their physical traits, the HKBWS explained in its report. With eyes positioned on each side of the head, a bird's anatomy restricts its binocular vision, resulting in a weaker perception of distance and three-dimensional space. When flying, birds may have difficulty recognising glass panels as an invisible barrier, causing them to strike the glass. Unlike roadkill, the bodies of birds found after glass collisions are not deformed. During the collision, birds are usually killed because their beaks are pushed into their heads, Merilä said. Collision black spots Bridges cause many bird strikes on the HKU campus. One of them is a skybridge on the fourth floor of the Centennial Campus. A flock of 15 Indochinese Yuhina birds crashed into the glass windows of the skybridge in early April 2023. It was the largest recorded number of bird collisions on a single day on the campus, according to data compiled by Merilä. (According to the HKBWS report, 71 Indochinese yuhina birds died from such impacts across Hong Kong in 2022-23, the highest among all avian species.) Other collision black spots include a skybridge between the Library Building and the Knowles Building, the Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, the Chi Wah Learning Commons, and Swire Hall. Shorter structures with glass windows situated near trees and other vegetation, like the Rayson Huang Theatre building right next to the Lily Pond, are also potential culprits, as the reflection of the trees on the glass windows can create a 'false impression' or a 'misleading visual cue' for the birds, Merilä said. Migrating birds accounted for over 60 per cent of collision victims in the city, according to the HKBWS. Among them were critically endangered or protected species. 'Hong Kong attracts tens of thousands of migratory birds to stopover and refuel energy every year,' the HKBWS said in September, when it released its 52-page report. 'But at the same time, Hong Kong being a high-density city and the high-rises with extensive glass may unfortunately turn out to be fatal traps for migrating birds.' This was evident in the bird species found dead at HKU. The Indochinese yuhina is a protected species that carries out seasonal migration in groups. Other migratory birds found dead and injured on the campus included the yellow-breasted bunting, a critically endangered species, as well as the northern boobook and the bluethroat, both Class II protected species in China. At HKU, deaths of less common migratory bird species like the lanceolate warbler or the narcissus flycatcher were also recorded. For Merilä, it makes little difference what a bird's status is. 'Every lost life is a lost life,' he said. Window stickers Bird-window collision is a worldwide phenomenon, and it has become one of the leading causes of unnatural deaths among wild birds. South Korea's Ministry of Environment estimates that around eight million birds die in the country each year from flying into windows. In the US, the annual figure exceeds a billion birds, according to a study published in the journal PLOS One last year. Activists, conservationists, and authorities around the world, such as in South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, the US, and Canada, have resorted to installing visual markers like patterned stickers or decals on external glass surfaces to help birds avoid crashing into them. Merilä applied for university funding to install anti-bird-collision stickers on glass windows at one hotspot but was rejected due to high costs. The stickers are inexpensive, but the scaffolding and manpower required to properly install the stickers on the outside of the glass windows is 'where the cost comes [in],' he said. The professor managed to piece together funding to put window stickers at one hotspot on campus. The installation is scheduled to be completed later this year. 'If we can show that [the method] reduces the kill rates in this particular locality, that could maybe give an incentive for the university to also consider putting them in other places where birds get killed,' Merilä said. As Wong pointed out, public pressure could make a difference. In its 2024 report, the HKBWS documented a total of 30 bird deaths and collision imprints due to window strikes at Mei Foo MTR Station in four months. Afterwards, members of the public reached out to MTR Corporation (MTRC), appealing for improvements, Wong said. In December that year, the MTRC began installing anti-bird-collision stickers on 121 high-risk glass panels at Mei Foo Station. The rate of bird-window collisions at the station later dropped by 90 per cent, Wong said. 'If each citizen tells their management company to install glass window stickers, maybe gradually more people will accept the stickers and at least save some [birds'] lives,' she said. Another challenge is maintaining or replacing old window stickers with new ones, highlighting the importance of choosing a long-term solution. A more sustainable alternative, Wong suggested, is to include anti-bird-collision glass materials as early as the design stage, or to stop using reflective and transparent glass windows. Citizen science Public involvement in scientific research, also known as citizen science, could be the next step for bird-window collision studies. In 2021, a Canadian nonprofit launched the Global Bird Collision Mapper (GBCM) website, a worldwide database and free geo-mapping tool for people to report sightings of bird collisions. Collected data 'are used in research and education worldwide, aimed at understanding and mitigating these tragic incidents' and eventually 'to create the path toward a future where birds thrive alongside urban landscapes,' it said. The HKBWS has written a manual on how to report a bird window collision through the GBCM website. 'As an urbanised international city, Hong Kong has a responsibility to conduct research or citizen science work on the issue,' Wong said. The HKBWS made use of the GBCM data that was submitted by members of the public, incorporating it into its 2024 report. Ng of the student society said that she paid more attention to bird deaths in general, be it roadkill or window collisions, after learning about bird collisions at HKU. Since January, she has encountered two suspected bird deaths outside the campus. She reported both cases to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. It might be a small part, but it was still an important thing to do.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists Take Incredible Snapshot of Octopus Riding Shark
A real-life "Sharktopus" situation unfolded in the Hauraki Gulf near Kawau Island in New Zealand, and scientists couldn't believe their eyes when they stumbled upon the extremely rare sighting. The extraordinary encounter happened in December 2023, but it only came to light last week when researchers published their finding. The researchers were studying the Hauraki Gulf as part of an ongoing project, when they spotted a large metallic grey dorsal fin, which turned out to be a short-fin mako shark. But a closer look at the beast had them in disbelief. "[W]hat was that orange patch on its head? A buoy? An injury?" asked Rochelle Constantine, a professor in the School of Biological Sciences, in the research professor went on to write that the group launched a drone and dropped a GoPro camera in the water and "they saw something unforgettable: an octopus perched atop the shark's head, clinging on with its tentacles." The sighting, or "sharktopus," is extremely rare and super mysterious because, as the research paper noted, octopus are mostly on the seabed while short-fin mako sharks don't favor the deep waters. Admittedly, the group monitored the rare sighting for a mere 10 minutes before moving on with their project. "We moved on after 10 minutes so I can't tell you how what happened next," the professor writes. "The octopus may have been in for quite the experience since the world's fastest shark species can reach [31 miles per hour]." The professor's paper closed with a plea to protect marine habitats. And the "sharktopus" encounter "is a reminder of the wonders of the ocean." "One of the best things about being a marine scientist is that you never know what you might see next in the sea," Constantine writes. "By supporting conservation initiatives, we can help to ensure that such extraordinary moments keep happening."
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
How North Sea tanker crash could impact wildlife-rich coastline
Academics have raised fears over the ecological impact the dramatic crash involving an oil tanker and cargo vessel could have on the Norfolk coastline. The two ships – including one carrying jet fuel - went up in flames in the North Sea off the coast of East Yorkshire on Monday. Although the air quality at ground level has been recorded as at normal levels, experts said the event could damage the environment of the protected Norfolk coastline. Environmental biologist Prof Ben Garrod said "we should be doing all we can to ensure this never happens again". Thirty six people were rescued from the collision and one crew member remained unaccounted for. Prof Garrod, from the University of East Anglia's School of Biological Sciences, said the coast's shallow bay, The Wash, could be particularly impacted. "The Wash is recognised for its local, national and international ecological importance for flora and fauna alike," he said. "Some migrate there, others breed there, and for many species of plants, fungi, and animals, it's home. "The possible addition of tonnes of highly soluble toxic material which shuts down the respiration system into such a fragile and important habitat will likely have far-reaching impacts on our local wildlife, especially fish, birds and mammals. "We should be doing all we can to monitor the impact that the release of tonnes of ecologically damaging chemicals has on our fragile marine environment." The collision occurred at about 10:00 GMT, sparking fires and a mass evacuation, with one crew member saying the incident "came from out of the blue". The Stena Immaculate ship, the US-flagged oil and chemical tanker, was carrying jet fuel on behalf of the US military. The Solong meanwhile, a Portuguese-flagged container vessel, denied that it was transporting 15 containers of sodium cyanide. "There are four empty containers that have previously contained the hazardous chemical and these containers will continue to be monitored," said Ernst Russ, the ship's owner. Dr Paul Johnston, senior scientist at Greenpeace Research Laboratories at the University of Exeter, said he was "very concerned". "The wind is blowing from the north and will drive any material that is released towards the north Norfolk coast," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. "There are bird colonies, there will be seals hauled out, dolphins and porpoises passing through the area and animals, together with fish and marine vertebrate. "[They will] all be very vulnerable to toxic events, from both oils and chemicals." Videos from the scene showed large clouds of smoke billowing out from the tanker, and the firm which managed the Stena Immaculate reported "multiple explosions". "The jet fuel will continue burning [but] the heavy fuel oil is more of a problem if it comes ashore - it will fell beaches and be very difficult to clean up," added Dr Johnston. "Any containers that go over the side are likely to be a navigational hazard in so far as any ship that strikes them could become disabled or even sink." When asked if he thought this could result in the largest environmental disaster for a generation, he said it was a "very difficult thing to predict". "And that's why so much effort is being put into salvage efforts in order to minimise the amount of material entering the sea. "An ounce of prevention is worth many tonnes of cure but what we can learn from previous events in terms of clean-up is that it is very, very difficult." Prof Alastair Grant, from the University of East Anglia's school of environmental sciences, said "a detailed evaluation" of the environmental risks posed by the jet fuel would need to be conducted. "It contains up to 25% aromatic hydrocarbons, which are relatively toxic and slow to break down in the environment," he said. "This makes it approximately 50 times more toxic to aquatic life than diesel oil, which in turn is more toxic than crude oil." These concerns were also echoed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT), which said "any pollution spillage could be devastating" for habitats in the area. A spokesperson said: "Depending on wind direction and contaminants, The Wash and North Norfolk coast, including NWT Holme Dunes nature reserve could potentially be at risk. "These areas are home to internationally important populations of seabirds and fragile habitats. "We'll continue to keep a close eye on the situation and work with marine authorities if needed." While the incident happened in UK waters, the responsibility for the investigation will fall to the United States and Portugal. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch, however, is already gathering evidence and undertaking a preliminary assessment of the accident. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is also "rapidly assessing" the potential environment impact of the collision. When it is considered safe to do so, the BBC understands the MCA will deploy equipment to contain and disperse the oil spills. The government agency is also working with the owners of the ships and the Department for Transport to understand potential risks to public health. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), any public health risk on shore is deemed to be very low. Labour MP Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, said she was grateful to HM Coastguard, the RNLI and emergency services for their response. "They were on the scene swiftly, have helped rescue those in immediate danger and I know they will continue to work tirelessly over the coming days. "My thoughts are with all those involved, especially the family of the missing crew member. "I am working closely with the MCA as they conduct an assessment of any counter pollution response which may be required over the coming days." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. North Sea tanker collision - what we know so far Search for ship collision crew member called off Maritime and Coastguard Agency Marine Accident Investigation Branch Department for Transport
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Science
- BBC News
How North Sea tanker collision could impact Norfolk coastline
Academics have raised fears over the ecological impact the dramatic crash involving an oil tanker and cargo vessel could have on the Norfolk two ships – including one carrying jet fuel - went up in flames in the North Sea off the coast of East Yorkshire on the air quality at ground level has been recorded as at normal levels, experts said the event could damage the environment of the protected Norfolk biologist Prof Ben Garrod said "we should be doing all we can to ensure this never happens again". Thirty six people were rescued from the collision and one crew member remained unaccounted for. Prof Garrod, from the University of East Anglia's School of Biological Sciences, said the coast's shallow bay, The Wash, could be particularly impacted. "The Wash is recognised for its local, national and international ecological importance for flora and fauna alike," he said."Some migrate there, others breed there, and for many species of plants, fungi, and animals, it's home."The possible addition of tonnes of highly soluble toxic material which shuts down the respiration system into such a fragile and important habitat will likely have far-reaching impacts on our local wildlife, especially fish, birds and mammals. "We should be doing all we can to monitor the impact that the release of tonnes of ecologically damaging chemicals has on our fragile marine environment." The collision occurred at about 10:00 GMT, sparking fires and a mass evacuation, with one crew member saying the incident "came from out of the blue".The Stena Immaculate ship, the US-flagged oil and chemical tanker, was carrying jet fuel on behalf of the US Solong meanwhile, a Portuguese-flagged container vessel, denied that it was transporting 15 containers of sodium cyanide."There are four empty containers that have previously contained the hazardous chemical and these containers will continue to be monitored," said Ernst Russ, the ship's owner. Dr Paul Johnston, senior scientist at Greenpeace Research Laboratories at the University of Exeter, said he was "very concerned"."The wind is blowing from the north and will drive any material that is released towards the north Norfolk coast," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme."There are bird colonies, there will be seals hauled out, dolphins and porpoises passing through the area and animals, together with fish and marine vertebrate."[They will] all be very vulnerable to toxic events, from both oils and chemicals." 'Very, very difficult' Videos from the scene showed large clouds of smoke billowing out from the tanker, and the firm which managed the Stena Immaculate reported "multiple explosions"."The jet fuel will continue burning [but] the heavy fuel oil is more of a problem if it comes ashore - it will fell beaches and be very difficult to clean up," added Dr Johnston."Any containers that go over the side are likely to be a navigational hazard in so far as any ship that strikes them could become disabled or even sink."When asked if he thought this could result in the largest environmental disaster for a generation, he said it was a "very difficult thing to predict"."And that's why so much effort is being put into salvage efforts in order to minimise the amount of material entering the sea."An ounce of prevention is worth many tonnes of cure but what we can learn from previous events in terms of clean-up is that it is very, very difficult." Global importance Prof Alastair Grant, from the University of East Anglia's school of environmental sciences, said "a detailed evaluation" of the environmental risks posed by the jet fuel would need to be conducted. "It contains up to 25% aromatic hydrocarbons, which are relatively toxic and slow to break down in the environment," he said."This makes it approximately 50 times more toxic to aquatic life than diesel oil, which in turn is more toxic than crude oil." These concerns were also echoed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT), which said "any pollution spillage could be devastating" for habitats in the area.A spokesperson said: "Depending on wind direction and contaminants, The Wash and North Norfolk coast, including NWT Holme Dunes nature reserve could potentially be at risk."These areas are home to internationally important populations of seabirds and fragile habitats."We'll continue to keep a close eye on the situation and work with marine authorities if needed." While the incident happened in UK waters, the responsibility for the investigation will fall to the United States and Marine Accident Investigation Branch, however, is already gathering evidence and undertaking a preliminary assessment of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is also "rapidly assessing" the potential environment impact of the it is considered safe to do so, the BBC understands the MCA will deploy equipment to contain and disperse the oil government agency is also working with the owners of the ships and the Department for Transport to understand potential risks to public to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), any public health risk on shore is deemed to be very low. 'Hugely grateful' Labour MP Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, said she was grateful to HM Coastguard, the RNLI and emergency services for their response."They were on the scene swiftly, have helped rescue those in immediate danger and I know they will continue to work tirelessly over the coming days."My thoughts are with all those involved, especially the family of the missing crew member."I am working closely with the MCA as they conduct an assessment of any counter pollution response which may be required over the coming days." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
