Latest news with #UniversityofCaliforniaAgricultureandNaturalResources
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists issue warning over newly discovered species that is already on the brink of extinction: 'Quite distinct'
Urban development in California is threatening a new manzanita species — a plant species already considered highly vulnerable since its discovery in the area. The Dana Reserve project, a housing development in Nipomo, is a 288-acre community with 1,370 residential units on land where a new manzanita species was discovered, the University of California, Riverside observed. Manzanitas are drought-tolerant evergreen shrubs or tiny trees. Growing to 6 to 12 feet, they are easily spotted by their smooth, red-brown bark. These trees thrive in xeric conditions, appearing frequently on rocky slopes, canyons, and barren ridges, according to a Department of Agriculture plant database. Indigenous peoples of California sometimes used the wood of manzanita trees to dry and smoke fish and the dried berries of the plant, ground to coarse grains, to make biscuits, according to University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. The tree's flowers naturally attracted pollinators including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. "We weren't expecting to find a new species in such a developed area," said Amy Litt, UC Riverside plant biologist. "But as we examined the plants, we realized the Nipomo Mesa plants were quite distinct." For example, they featured a shaggy gray bark. Using genetic analysis, Litt and a team of researchers confirmed the discovery of the new species. They named it Arctostaphylos nipumu after the Nipomo Mesa area where it was discovered, paying homage to its indigenous heritage, too. Scientists estimate that there are fewer than 700 (and perhaps only 300) individual A. nipumu trees in the Nipomo Mesa area. The Dana Reserve project risks wiping out this new manzanita species before it can fully take hold. "This manzanita isn't just a plant," study co-author and graduate student Tito Abbo said. "It's part of what makes this ecosystem unique. Losing it would mean erasing a piece of California's natural history and heritage." Manzanita trees also provide much-needed shelter and habitat for wildlife, including birds, rabbits, and foxes that find shelter in their low-growing branches. Per the National Park Service, the tree's berries feed black bears, coyotes, mule deer, and other wildlife, while its flowers attract important pollinators that protect the food supply. Though this development project received final approval in November, the scientists are hopeful that their discovery will spark important discussions on the conservation of threatened native plants. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In January, the Nipomo Action Committee and California Native Plant Society filed a lawsuit against Dana Reserve developer Nick Tompkins and the San Luis Obispo Local Agency Formation Commission to protect the species, according to New Times. Recently, New York issued a $121,000 fine to a contractor for removing native trees and plants from protected wetlands for commercial development. And a couple in California was fined $165,000 for ruining the habitat of a rare flower on their property. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Al Arabiya
13-02-2025
- Climate
- Al Arabiya
California's burn scars brace for flooding as freezing rain and snow head for Oregon
Officials in California distributed sandbags, prepositioned rescue swimmers, and told residents to have their go-bags ready as the state prepares for an atmospheric river that could bring heavy rain, winds, and flooding Thursday to areas ravaged by wildfires. Meanwhile, Portland coated its streets with 2,000 gallons of liquid anti-icer, while officials in Oregon and Idaho opened emergency shelters to prepare for a punishing mix of snow and ice starting Thursday. Southern California could see as much as 6 inches (about 15 centimeters) of rain in the mountains and 3 inches (about 7.6 centimeters) in coastal areas and valleys, according to Brent Bower, hydrologist with the National Weather Service. Strong wind gusts could bring down trees, cause power outages, and delay flights. Evacuation warnings were issued in Mandeville Canyon and other areas ravaged by the Palisades Fire–the most destructive fire in Los Angeles city history–over concerns about potential debris flows during the upcoming storm. There were also warnings for Trabuco Canyon and other areas near the burn scar for the Airport Fire. All Malibu schools were closed Thursday, and Knott's Berry Farm shuttered due to the atmospheric river–a long band of water vapor that can transport moisture from the tropics to more northern areas. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the area is in desperate need of rain, but this may come too hard and fast. 'The result could be debris flows and flash flooding around wildfire burn areas. These burned areas are more at risk to debris flows because vegetation that helps to keep soil anchored has been burned away and loose debris, including ash, soil, and rocks, have been added,' he said in a statement. County officials said roads may be closed and urged residents to be prepared should a mandatory evacuation order become necessary. East hit with heavy snow and freezing rain The rain follows storms Wednesday that dumped heavy snow and freezing rain on a swath of the US East from Kentucky to the nation's capital, causing hundreds of traffic accidents, knocking out power in places, and threatening to flood waterways. The storm system, which cut a path from Kentucky to Maryland and points farther north on Tuesday, brought more than 14 inches (37 centimeters) of snow to Iron Gate, a tiny Appalachian town in western Virginia, and 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, a small city about 65 miles (105 kilometers) to the west, the National Weather Service said. By early Thursday, more than 150,000 customers in Virginia and more than 13,000 in North Carolina were still without electricity, according to Appalachian Power, which serves a million customers in West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee, said more than 5,700 workers were trying to restore power. 'The region's airports received several inches of snow,' according to Scott Kleebauer, a meteorologist with the weather service's Weather Prediction Center. Nearly 7,000 flights were canceled or delayed across the United States Wednesday, including almost 300 into Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, according to the flight-tracking site Hundreds of accidents In Kentucky, snowy roads caused a head-on fatal crash Tuesday in Nelson County, south of Louisville. 'The driver of a car lost control going into a curve, crossed the center line and hit an oncoming semi-truck head on,' according to the county's emergency management director, Brad Metcalf. The driver died at the scene. In Virginia, where Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, the state police reported about 850 crashes on Tuesday and Wednesday, dozens of which involved injuries. Officials said it was not known if they were caused by the weather. Maryland State Police reported 235 crashes and 185 inoperable or unattended vehicles. In southern West Virginia, multiple crashes temporarily shut down several major highways Tuesday. Pacific Northwest ice storm Freezing rain and snow were expected in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, which could cause power outages, according to the National Weather Service. Officials in Oregon's Multnomah County extended a state of emergency through at least Thursday and said six emergency shelters would be open. Officials said 356 people went to the shelters Tuesday night. Wind chill readings could dip to 10 degrees (minus 12 Celsius) in Portland, the weather service said. In Idaho, a cold weather advisory was in effect, with wind chills potentially as low as minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 25 degrees Celsius) in the north central part of the state. An ice storm forecast for the Portland area early Thursday and Friday could challenge deliveries of flowers and other gifts for Valentine's Day. Temperatures plummeted earlier this week in Portland, which is more known for its rainfall. Julia Duncan, a co-owner of Flowers in Flight, shrugged off the weather, saying the area endured ice storms in past winters and customers are willing to go the extra mile for the people they love. 'It's Valentine's Day!' Duncan said. 'We'll just have to wait and see what happens. We're in the neighborhood where a lot of people tend to do pickups too, and (we've) got a couple of drivers who are willing to drive in the ice and snow,' Duncan said. 'So hopefully it won't affect us too much.'
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
California's burn scars braces for heavy rain amid flash food fears
Officials in California distributed sandbags, prepositioned rescue swimmers and told residents to have their go-bags ready as the state prepares for an atmospheric river that could bring heavy rain, winds and flooding on Thursday to areas ravaged by wildfires. Southern California could see as much as 6 inches (about 15 centimeters) of rain in the mountains and 3 inches (about 7.6 centimeters) in coastal areas and valleys, according to Brent Bower, hydrologist with the National Weather Service. Strong wind gusts could bring down trees, cause power outages and delay flights. Evacuation warnings were issued in Mandeville Canyon and other areas ravaged by the Palisades Fire, the most destructive fire in Los Angeles city history, over concerns about potential debris flows during the upcoming storm. There were also warnings for Trabuco Canyon and other areas near the burn scar for the Airport Fire. All Malibu schools were closed on Thursday and the Knott's Berry Farm shuttered early Wednesday due to the atmospheric river, a long band of water vapor that can transport moisture from the tropics to more northern areas. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the area is in desperate need of rain but this may come too hard and fast. The result could be debris flows and flash flooding around wildfire burn areas. These burned areas are more at risk to debris flows because vegetation that helps to keep soil anchored has been burned away and loose debris, including ash, soil and rocks, have been added, he said in a statement. County officials said roads may be closed and urged residents to be prepared should a mandatory evacuation order become necessary. The rain follows storms on Wednesday that dumped heavy snow and freezing rain on a swath of the U.S. East from Kentucky to the nation's capital, causing hundreds of traffic accidents, knocking out power in places and threatening to flood waterways. The storm system, which cut a path from Kentucky to Maryland and points farther north on Tuesday, brought more than 14 inches (37 centimeters) of snow to Iron Gate, a tiny Appalachian town in western Virginia, and 12 inches to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, a small city about 65 miles (105 kilometers) to the west, the National Weather Service said. By early Thursday more than 150,000 customers in Virginia and more than 13,000 in North Carolina were still without electricity, according to Appalachian Power, which serves a million customers in West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee, said more than 5,700 workers were trying to restore power. The region's airports received several inches of snow, according to Scott Kleebauer, a meteorologist with the weather service's Weather Prediction Center. Nearly 7,000 flights were canceled or delayed across the United States Wednesday, including almost 300 into Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, according to the flight-tracking site In Kentucky, snowy roads caused a head-on fatal crash Tuesday in Nelson County, south of Louisville. The driver of a car lost control going into a curve, crossed the center line and hit an oncoming semi truck head on, according to the county's emergency management director, Brad Metcalf. The driver died at the scene. In Virginia, where Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, the state police reported about 850 crashes on Tuesday and Wednesday, dozens of which involved injuries. Officials said it was not known if they were caused by the weather. Maryland State Police reported 235 crashes and 185 inoperable or unattended vehicles. In southern West Virginia, multiple crashes temporarily shut down several major highways Tuesday. Freezing rain and snow were expected in northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington, which could cause power outages, according to the National Weather Service. Officials in Oregon's Multnomah County extended a state of emergency through at least Thursday and said six emergency shelters would be open. Officials said 356 people went to the shelters Tuesday night. Wind chill readings could dip to 10 degrees (minus 12 Celsius) in Portland, the weather service said. In Idaho, a cold weather advisory was in effect, with wind chills potentially as low as minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit (about minus 25 degrees Celsius) in the north central part of the state. An ice storm forecast for the Portland area early Thursday and Friday could challenge deliveries of flowers and other gifts for Valentine's Day. Temperatures plummeted earlier this week in Portland, which is more known for its rainfall. Julia Duncan, a co-owner of Flowers in Flight, shrugged off the weather, saying the area endured ice storms in past winters and customers are willing to go the extra mile for the people they love. 'It's Valentine's Day!' Duncan said. 'We'll just have to wait and see what happens.' 'We're in the neighborhood where a lot of people tend to do pickups, too, and (we've) got a couple of drivers who are willing to drive in the ice and snow,' Duncan said. "So hopefully it won't affect us too much.'
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
California's burn scars brace for flooding as freezing rain and snow head for Oregon
Officials in California distributed sandbags, prepositioned rescue swimmers and told residents to have their go-bags ready as the state prepares for an atmospheric river that could bring heavy rain, winds and flooding Thursday to areas ravaged by wildfires. Meanwhile, Portland coated its streets with 2,000 gallons of liquid anti-icer while officials in Oregon and Idaho opened emergency shelters to prepare for a punishing mix of snow and ice starting Thursday. Southern California could see as much as 6 inches (about 15 centimeters) of rain in the mountains and 3 inches (about 7.6 centimeters) in coastal areas and valleys, according to Brent Bower, hydrologist with the National Weather Service. Strong wind gusts could bring down trees, cause power outages and delay flights. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Evacuation warnings were issued in Mandeville Canyon and other areas ravaged by the Palisades Fire, the most destructive fire in Los Angeles city history, over concerns about potential debris flows during the upcoming storm. There were also warnings for Trabuco Canyon and other areas near the burn scar for the Airport Fire. All Malibu schools were closed Thursday and the Knott's Berry Farm shuttered early Wednesday due to the atmospheric river, a long band of water vapor that can transport moisture from the tropics to more northern areas. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the area is in desperate need of rain but this may come too hard and fast. The result could be debris flows and flash flooding around wildfire burn areas. These burned areas are more at risk to debris flows because vegetation that helps to keep soil anchored has been burned away and loose debris, including ash, soil and rocks, have been added, he said in a statement. County officials said roads may be closed and urged residents to be prepared should a mandatory evacuation order become necessary. The rain follows storms Wednesday that dumped heavy snow and freezing rain on a swath of the U.S. East from Kentucky to the nation's capital, causing hundreds of traffic accidents, knocking out power in places and threatening to flood waterways. The storm system, which cut a path from Kentucky to Maryland and points farther north on Tuesday, brought more than 14 inches (37 centimeters) of snow to Iron Gate, a tiny Appalachian town in western Virginia, and 12 inches to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, a small city about 65 miles (105 kilometers) to the west, the National Weather Service said. By early Thursday more than 150,000 customers in Virginia and more than 13,000 in North Carolina were still without electricity, according to Appalachian Power, which serves a million customers in West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee, said more than 5,700 workers were trying to restore power. The region's airports received several inches of snow, according to Scott Kleebauer, a meteorologist with the weather service's Weather Prediction Center. Nearly 7,000 flights were canceled or delayed across the United States Wednesday, including almost 300 into Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, according to the flight-tracking site Hundreds of accidents In Kentucky, snowy roads caused a head-on fatal crash Tuesday in Nelson County, south of Louisville. The driver of a car lost control going into a curve, crossed the center line and hit an oncoming semi truck head on, according to the county's emergency management director, Brad Metcalf. The driver died at the scene. In Virginia, where Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, the state police reported about 850 crashes on Tuesday and Wednesday, dozens of which involved injuries. Officials said it was not known if they were caused by the weather. Maryland State Police reported 235 crashes and 185 inoperable or unattended vehicles. In southern West Virginia, multiple crashes temporarily shut down several major highways Tuesday. Pacific Northwest Ice Storm Freezing rain and snow were expected in northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington, which could cause power outages, according to the National Weather Service. Officials in Oregon's Multnomah County extended a state of emergency through at least Thursday and said six emergency shelters would be open. Officials said 356 people went to the shelters Tuesday night. Wind chill readings could dip to 10 degrees (minus 12 Celsius) in Portland, the weather service said. In Idaho, a cold weather advisory was in effect, with wind chills potentially as low as minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit (about minus 25 degrees Celsius) in the north central part of the state. An ice storm forecast for the Portland area early Thursday and Friday could challenge deliveries of flowers and other gifts for Valentine's Day. Temperatures plummeted earlier this week in Portland, which is more known for its rainfall. Julia Duncan, a co-owner of Flowers in Flight, shrugged off the weather, saying the area endured ice storms in past winters and customers are willing to go the extra mile for the people they love. 'It's Valentine's Day!' Duncan said. 'We'll just have to wait and see what happens.' 'We're in the neighborhood where a lot of people tend to do pickups, too, and (we've) got a couple of drivers who are willing to drive in the ice and snow,' Duncan said. "So hopefully it won't affect us too much.' ___ Associated Press journalists from across the U.S. contributed to this report.
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
California's burn scars brace for flooding as freezing rain and snow head for Oregon
Officials in California distributed sandbags, prepositioned rescue swimmers and told residents to have their go-bags ready as the state prepares for an atmospheric river that could bring heavy rain, winds and flooding Thursday to areas ravaged by wildfires. Meanwhile, Portland coated its streets with 2,000 gallons of liquid anti-icer while officials in Oregon and Idaho opened emergency shelters to prepare for a punishing mix of snow and ice starting Thursday. Southern California could see as much as 6 inches (about 15 centimeters) of rain in the mountains and 3 inches (about 7.6 centimeters) in coastal areas and valleys, according to Brent Bower, hydrologist with the National Weather Service. Strong wind gusts could bring down trees, cause power outages and delay flights. Evacuation warnings were issued in Mandeville Canyon and other areas ravaged by the Palisades Fire, the most destructive fire in Los Angeles city history, over concerns about potential debris flows during the upcoming storm. There were also warnings for Trabuco Canyon and other areas near the burn scar for the Airport Fire. All Malibu schools were closed Thursday and the Knott's Berry Farm shuttered early Wednesday due to the atmospheric river, a long band of water vapor that can transport moisture from the tropics to more northern areas. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the area is in desperate need of rain but this may come too hard and fast. The result could be debris flows and flash flooding around wildfire burn areas. These burned areas are more at risk to debris flows because vegetation that helps to keep soil anchored has been burned away and loose debris, including ash, soil and rocks, have been added, he said in a statement. County officials said roads may be closed and urged residents to be prepared should a mandatory evacuation order become necessary. The rain follows storms Wednesday that dumped heavy snow and freezing rain on a swath of the U.S. East from Kentucky to the nation's capital, causing hundreds of traffic accidents, knocking out power in places and threatening to flood waterways. The storm system, which cut a path from Kentucky to Maryland and points farther north on Tuesday, brought more than 14 inches (37 centimeters) of snow to Iron Gate, a tiny Appalachian town in western Virginia, and 12 inches to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, a small city about 65 miles (105 kilometers) to the west, the National Weather Service said. By early Thursday more than 150,000 customers in Virginia and more than 13,000 in North Carolina were still without electricity, according to Appalachian Power, which serves a million customers in West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee, said more than 5,700 workers were trying to restore power. The region's airports received several inches of snow, according to Scott Kleebauer, a meteorologist with the weather service's Weather Prediction Center. Nearly 7,000 flights were canceled or delayed across the United States Wednesday, including almost 300 into Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, according to the flight-tracking site Hundreds of accidents In Kentucky, snowy roads caused a head-on fatal crash Tuesday in Nelson County, south of Louisville. The driver of a car lost control going into a curve, crossed the center line and hit an oncoming semi truck head on, according to the county's emergency management director, Brad Metcalf. The driver died at the scene. In Virginia, where Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, the state police reported about 850 crashes on Tuesday and Wednesday, dozens of which involved injuries. Officials said it was not known if they were caused by the weather. Maryland State Police reported 235 crashes and 185 inoperable or unattended vehicles. In southern West Virginia, multiple crashes temporarily shut down several major highways Tuesday. Pacific Northwest Ice Storm Freezing rain and snow were expected in northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington, which could cause power outages, according to the National Weather Service. Officials in Oregon's Multnomah County extended a state of emergency through at least Thursday and said six emergency shelters would be open. Officials said 356 people went to the shelters Tuesday night. Wind chill readings could dip to 10 degrees (minus 12 Celsius) in Portland, the weather service said. In Idaho, a cold weather advisory was in effect, with wind chills potentially as low as minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit (about minus 25 degrees Celsius) in the north central part of the state. An ice storm forecast for the Portland area early Thursday and Friday could challenge deliveries of flowers and other gifts for Valentine's Day. Temperatures plummeted earlier this week in Portland, which is more known for its rainfall. Julia Duncan, a co-owner of Flowers in Flight, shrugged off the weather, saying the area endured ice storms in past winters and customers are willing to go the extra mile for the people they love. 'It's Valentine's Day!' Duncan said. 'We'll just have to wait and see what happens.' 'We're in the neighborhood where a lot of people tend to do pickups, too, and (we've) got a couple of drivers who are willing to drive in the ice and snow,' Duncan said. "So hopefully it won't affect us too much.'
