Latest news with #UKCEH
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Dry weather: Why drought is hitting parts of the North
Parts of the UK have seen the driest start to a year in close to a Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) said north-east and north-west England had not experienced as dry a period between January and April since parts of the UK have also faced particularly dry springs, but the North also saw below average rainfall in winter, according to Lucy Barker at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)."This has resulted in exceptionally low river flows and reservoir levels," she nationwide it is believed this spring could be one of the driest on record. Due to the drop in water supply, the Environment Agency officially declared a drought across the North West on 21 means United Utilities, the water firm which supplies millions in the region, will have to forecast potential timescales for introducing hosepipe firm previously told the BBC it was bringing extra water into the system. Dr Gemma Coxon at the University of Bristol said the North West was particularly susceptible to water supply issues during periods of low is because it has fewer groundwater aquifers than other parts of the country such as the South East, she act like "big sponges" which sit under the soil and soak up rainfall then slowly release it, she fewer of these, river levels in the North West can drop more quickly during dry rain has boosted river flows and soil moisture in the region, Ms Barker confirmed, but this had still not made up for the "long term dry period". No such drought has been declared in the North Hayley Fowler at Newcastle University said the "robust" water supply provided by Kielder Reservoir in Northumberland meant it would take much longer for the region's water supply to be affected by dry Coxon said climate models predicted drier summers and wetter winters on average in the UK, but how the weather may look in future springs and autumns was much more "mixed"."We're currently in a dry spring but next year it could be much wetter," she despite a wealth of weather data, the effect of human activity can also be difficult to ascertain or predict."It is challenging to disentangle exactly how much drier this spring has been due to climate change," Dr Coxon said. 'Water gauge stolen' Rain data has been collected in the UK for centuries, all the way back to 1767 in Met Office has rainfall figures for the entire country going back to 1836, with recent efforts being made to transcribe historical handwritten statistics. As part of that project, scientists listed some very specific additional comments left behind by data collectors of the day. This included one person in Middleton-in-Teesdale who wrote in November 1876: "No readings as gauge stolen."Another individual in Sunderland wrote in 1869: "Rev Iliff had his right arm broken in June so was prevented from taking his observations regularly and a few weeks afterwards a road was made through his garden and his instrument meddled with." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Why you should keep dogs out of water after couple's beloved pet dies after walk
Hannah May Washington and Jordan Shearman have urged dog owners to be extra careful on walks after the death of tragic Cocker Spaniel Roo. If you're out on a walk with your dog on a hot day - and they seem to be fairly common at the moment - it's only natural that your furry friend might want to splash into a burn or pond to cool off. And as long as there are no superfast currents or hidden drops, surely they'll be fine, right? Not necessarily. One couple sadly said goodbye to their beloved pet after a seemingly innocent dook in a lake. And they are warning all dog owners to be careful when around water with their pooches, just in case the worst could happen to them too, Wiltshire Live reports. Hannah May Washington and boyfriend Jordan Shearman were out in Anton Lankes in Andover, Hampshire, on April 30, 2022, with one-year-old Cocker Spaniel Roo. Their pup loved splashing around in the water on their regular walks there, but there was something amiss on this trip. The couple said: "We have taken Roo to the lakes many times before, but not so much recently, and did notice that a lot of the areas he would usually swim, was incredibly dirty, much more so than normal, so we didn't spend so much time swimming in those areas, however he did jump in briefly for a lot of them" Anton Lakes sits just north of Andover, and boasts a river and a lake within its nature reserve. Despite its beauty, it was suspected that there may have been blue-green algae in the water, which is deadly to dogs. According to the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the substance is a type of bacteria which can produce toxic chemicals that are very harmful to both humans and animals. It naturally occurs in lakes, ponds, canals, rivers, and reservoirs. UKCEH said: "They are particularly a health risk during warm summer months when their concentrations increase in the water to form blooms and scums on the surface. This can look like green or turquoise wispy paint, green scum or clumps of green particles". Roo's walk seemed to be fairly normal until the pup's eyes appeared a bit droopy towards the end of the trip. The couple said: "We figured he had gotten too much water in his eyes so we decided to end the walk and return to the car". But on the way home, Hannah "knew straight away something was wrong" as the dog was unsettled and struggling to stand up. They rushed Roo straight to Strathmore Veterinary Clinic. Hannah said: "While in my arms Roo began to have fits, struggling to breath, foaming at the mouth, it was the worst experience of my life having to hold him, speaking to him, telling him mummy and daddy loved him." But in the 15 minutes it took to get to the vets, the Cocker Spaniel pup had become worryingly pale and struggling to breathe. His heart then stopped beating and, around 7pm that day, Roo tragically passed away. Hannah said: "Our worst nightmare had officially happened, our precious, young, baby Roo had lost his life, so suddenly." The couple, who were 23 and 24 at the time, had just celebrated one year living together in their first home. Speaking about Roo, Hannah said: "He was everything in our lives, quite literally. Our lives, our habits, our plans, revolved around our lovely pup, and so I can't even begin to describe the pain we are in." Hannah and Jordan shared their story as a warning to dog owners about the dangers of blue-green algae, and how deadly it can be. Test Valley Borough Council tested the water in the days after Roo's death, issuing a warning to locals to "please keep dogs out of the water" at Anton Lakes. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. At the time, Councillor Phil North said: 'As a fellow dog owner, I was extremely saddened to hear about Roo's passing following a walk at Anton Lakes. "Although no cause of death has been confirmed with the council, following feedback from the vet we are taking a precautionary approach and are working with the Environment Agency to test the water for blue-green algae. 'This algae occurs naturally in bodies of freshwater but can be potentially dangerous to people and their pets. We are hoping to receive the results of the tests by the end of next week, and while we await the outcome, we are recommending that people and pets stay out of the water. Residents and pet owners can find out more about blue-green algae and its effects via the Kennel Club website.' In August that year, Miniature Jack Russell Maple also died after a walk at Anton Lakes. The water was tested again and "low levels" of blue-green algae were found. According to the Kennel Club the effects of blue-green algae on dogs may vary but there are some recognised effects including: dribbling tiredness vomiting and diarrhoea (both of which may be bloody) effects on the heart and blood pressure convulsions problems breathing organ failure They add that signs often start within an hour, but may occur within a few minutes, or can sometimes be delayed by a few days. Many cases are life threatening and dogs can die very quickly.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
We know next to nothing about 99 per cent of the world's insects: Here's why that's a problem
Despite our outsized impact on the planet, humans are not the dominant species. For every person on Earth, there are approximately 1.4 billion insects. All together, they would weigh 70 times more than the total human population. While insects are by far the most numerous and widespread class in the animal kingdom, woefully little is known about them. Since they're essential to food production, the regularly reported decline in key species is a cause of concern. But does it really spell 'insectageddon'? According to a study led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and ZSL (Zoological Society of London), we just don't know. According to the study, there are about a million known insect species around the world. Of these, just 12,100 species have been assessed under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Of those that have been assessed, 20 per cent are considered threatened. But given that less than one per cent of the species have been assessed, the study rightfully asks, 'What about the other 99 per cent?' Little monitoring of insect species goes on outside of North America and Europe. In fact, the researchers say there is very little known about insects in parts of Asia and South America, and virtually no data at all for species in Africa. This week, the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme revealed that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies. It's a similar story across Europe and North America. Dragonflies and bees are also well-studied in these regions. Of the dragonfly family, 16 per cent are thought to be at risk of extinction. Studies have shown a loss of 60 per cent of the bee population since the 1990s. But these are not the only pollinators in our environment, nor are they the only insects that are useful to our existence. 'There is a lot of interest in monitoring charismatic species such as bees and butterflies,' says Dr Rob Cooke, an ecological modeller at UKCEH and joint lead author of the study. 'But few people care about the supposedly unpleasant insects, even though they too provide benefits for us.' Despite the creepy appearance of the humble earwig, they are excellent at pest control - particularly on fruit trees, where they remove aphids without damaging the fruit. The hated cockroach is incredibly important for soil health and decomposition. Yet, they're among the least well-studied of all insects worldwide. Related 'A momentous day for nature': EU approves first-of-its-kind law that could bring back biodiversity 'Red flag': Bug splats on cars reveal a staggering drop in insect numbers over last 20 years Undoubtedly, many insect species are in decline. Loss of habitat, use of pesticides and declining food sources mean it's tough to be an insect in the modern world. But the authors stress that it's essential to increase our understanding of insect populations and how humans affect them, before it's too late. 'We need to find out whether insect declines are widespread and what's causing them,' says Cooke. 'The challenge is like a giant jigsaw puzzle where there are thousands of missing pieces, but we do not have decades to wait to fill these gaps and then act.' The study authors have proposed a new framework for establishing how different drivers impact local species. Through combining multiple data sources, they hope to build up a better picture of the state of global insect health, despite the gaps in the available data. 'With a million described species, it would take too long to figure out what works best for each species,' explains Dr Charlotte Outhwaite of ZSL's Institute of Zoology, joint lead author of the study. 'Instead, we want to find large-scale actions that benefit the most insects. For this, we need to use all the available information we have.' The next step is to begin testing this approach, using a range of research methods to model how different insect species respond to various threats. Extrapolating from their findings will help develop an understanding of the current health of the world's insect population.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
We know next to nothing about 99 per cent of the world's insects: Here's why that's a problem
Despite our outsized impact on the planet, humans are not the dominant species. For every person on Earth, there are approximately 1.4 billion insects. All together, they would weigh 70 times more than the total human population. While insects are by far the most numerous and widespread class in the animal kingdom, woefully little is known about them. Since they're essential to food production, the regularly reported decline in key species is a cause of concern. But does it really spell 'insectageddon'? According to a study led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and ZSL (Zoological Society of London), we just don't know. According to the study, there are about a million known insect species around the world. Of these, just 12,100 species have been assessed under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Of those that have been assessed, 20 per cent are considered threatened. But given that less than one per cent of the species have been assessed, the study rightfully asks, 'What about the other 99 per cent?' Little monitoring of insect species goes on outside of North America and Europe. In fact, the researchers say there is very little known about insects in parts of Asia and South America, and virtually no data at all for species in Africa. This week, the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme revealed that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies. It's a similar story across Europe and North America. Dragonflies and bees are also well-studied in these regions. Of the dragonfly family, 16 per cent are thought to be at risk of extinction. Studies have shown a loss of 60 per cent of the bee population since the 1990s. But these are not the only pollinators in our environment, nor are they the only insects that are useful to our existence. 'There is a lot of interest in monitoring charismatic species such as bees and butterflies,' says Dr Rob Cooke, an ecological modeller at UKCEH and joint lead author of the study. 'But few people care about the supposedly unpleasant insects, even though they too provide benefits for us.' Despite the creepy appearance of the humble earwig, they are excellent at pest control - particularly on fruit trees, where they remove aphids without damaging the fruit. The hated cockroach is incredibly important for soil health and decomposition. Yet, they're among the least well-studied of all insects worldwide. Related 'A momentous day for nature': EU approves first-of-its-kind law that could bring back biodiversity 'Red flag': Bug splats on cars reveal a staggering drop in insect numbers over last 20 years Undoubtedly, many insect species are in decline. Loss of habitat, use of pesticides and declining food sources mean it's tough to be an insect in the modern world. But the authors stress that it's essential to increase our understanding of insect populations and how humans affect them, before it's too late. 'We need to find out whether insect declines are widespread and what's causing them,' says Cooke. 'The challenge is like a giant jigsaw puzzle where there are thousands of missing pieces, but we do not have decades to wait to fill these gaps and then act.' The study authors have proposed a new framework for establishing how different drivers impact local species. Through combining multiple data sources, they hope to build up a better picture of the state of global insect health, despite the gaps in the available data. 'With a million described species, it would take too long to figure out what works best for each species,' explains Dr Charlotte Outhwaite of ZSL's Institute of Zoology, joint lead author of the study. 'Instead, we want to find large-scale actions that benefit the most insects. For this, we need to use all the available information we have.' The next step is to begin testing this approach, using a range of research methods to model how different insect species respond to various threats. Extrapolating from their findings will help develop an understanding of the current health of the world's insect population.
Euronews
04-04-2025
- Science
- Euronews
We know next to nothing about 99 per cent of the world's insects: Here's why that's a problem
ADVERTISEMENT Despite our outsized impact on the planet, humans are not the dominant species. For every person on Earth, there are approximately 1.4 billion insects. All together, they would weigh 70 times more than the total human population. While insects are by far the most numerous and widespread class in the animal kingdom, woefully little is known about them. Since they're essential to food production , the regularly reported decline in key species is a cause of concern. But does it really spell 'insectageddon'? According to a study led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and ZSL (Zoological Society of London), we just don't know. Just 1 per cent of insect species are well understood According to the study, there are about a million known insect species around the world. Of these, just 12,100 species have been assessed under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Of those that have been assessed, 20 per cent are considered threatened. But given that less than one per cent of the species have been assessed, the study rightfully asks, 'What about the other 99 per cent?' Little monitoring of insect species goes on outside of North America and Europe. In fact, the researchers say there is very little known about insects in parts of Asia and South America, and virtually no data at all for species in Africa. Butterflies, bees and dragonflies steal the limelight This week, the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme revealed that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies . It's a similar story across Europe and North America. Dragonflies and bees are also well-studied in these regions. Of the dragonfly family, 16 per cent are thought to be at risk of extinction. Studies have shown a loss of 60 per cent of the bee population since the 1990s. But these are not the only pollinators in our environment, nor are they the only insects that are useful to our existence. 'There is a lot of interest in monitoring charismatic species such as bees and butterflies,' says Dr Rob Cooke, an ecological modeller at UKCEH and joint lead author of the study. 'But few people care about the supposedly unpleasant insects, even though they too provide benefits for us.' Despite the creepy appearance of the humble earwig, they are excellent at pest control - particularly on fruit trees, where they remove aphids without damaging the fruit. The hated cockroach is incredibly important for soil health and decomposition. Yet, they're among the least well-studied of all insects worldwide. Related 'A momentous day for nature': EU approves first-of-its-kind law that could bring back biodiversity 'Red flag': Bug splats on cars reveal a staggering drop in insect numbers over last 20 years How will we know which insect species are under threat? Undoubtedly, many insect species are in decline. Loss of habitat, use of pesticides and declining food sources mean it's tough to be an insect in the modern world. But the authors stress that it's essential to increase our understanding of insect populations and how humans affect them, before it's too late. 'We need to find out whether insect declines are widespread and what's causing them,' says Cooke. 'The challenge is like a giant jigsaw puzzle where there are thousands of missing pieces, but we do not have decades to wait to fill these gaps and then act.' The study authors have proposed a new framework for establishing how different drivers impact local species . Through combining multiple data sources, they hope to build up a better picture of the state of global insect health, despite the gaps in the available data. ADVERTISEMENT 'With a million described species, it would take too long to figure out what works best for each species,' explains Dr Charlotte Outhwaite of ZSL's Institute of Zoology, joint lead author of the study. 'Instead, we want to find large-scale actions that benefit the most insects. For this, we need to use all the available information we have.' The next step is to begin testing this approach, using a range of research methods to model how different insect species respond to various threats. Extrapolating from their findings will help develop an understanding of the current health of the world's insect population.
