Latest news with #extinction
ABC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Moa De-extinction
The US company Colossal Biosciences has announced plans to bring back the Moa - an extinct giant bird that once called New Zealand home. It's got the backing of a famous Kiwi filmmaker. But not everyone is convinced that we can resurrect extinct animals or that we should be trying. Join Justina on an epic adventure to discover what it takes to bring something back from extinction.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
What would happen to Earth if humans went extinct?
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Humans will likely go extinct eventually, leaving behind a planet that has to adjust in their wake. While there is no true consensus as to what a human-free world will look like, there are a number of theories. What will the Earth look like? It is most likely that humans will be the cause of their own demise. "While there's a chance our species can survive the effects of climate change, it looks increasingly likely that we and many other living things will go extinct," said JV Chamary at the BBC. While warmer surface and ocean temperatures will affect biodiversity long into the future, without humans, an ice age could hit the planet. "Climate change may have postponed the next Ice Age, which could occur within 100,000 years," said the BBC. The dregs of humanity, however, will likely stick around for a while. Humans "would leave mountains of waste that would persist for thousands of years, poisoning, trapping, cutting and harming other species in numerous ways," said The Spectator. The wooden houses and buildings left behind, though, would be "destroyed by termites, and creepers would grow through the cracks, causing the wood to rot and eventually collapse," said Science ABC. Concrete structures, on the other hand, would "deteriorate due to extreme weather conditions, leading to their eventual collapse." What would happen to other species? It's no secret that humans have a significant impact on the entire planet, essentially living and operating on every corner of the world. As such, their disappearance would have major effects on many other animals. "Natural selection will drive some populations to split into distinct species" to "exploit vacant ecological niches," said the BBC. "This 'adaptive radiation' is why mammals diversified after dinosaurs died out." Farm animals would be "easy prey for bears, coyotes, wolves and panthers," said Carlton Basmajian, an associate professor of urban design at Iowa State University, at The Conversation. "The cats would go feral — that is, they would become wild, though many would be preyed upon by larger animals. Most dogs wouldn't survive, either." Perhaps a new dominant species could take control. Some experts have suggested that the octopus could become the next big species after humans because of its potential for "filling an ecological niche in a post-human world," said Tim Coulson, an Oxford University biologist, at The European. Other primates, birds, fish and even insects are potential apex species as well. Much of how the world will look depends on the world that humans leave behind. If an ice age came to fruition, for example, larger animals would be evolutionarily favored. How would the Earth recover? While the Earth would go through turmoil in the immediate aftermath of human extinction, "in a thousand years, the world you remember would still be vaguely recognizable," said Basmajian. "Some things would remain; it would depend on the materials they were made of, the climate they're in and just plain luck." Chances are, the loss of humans will prove to be a positive for nature. For example, air pollution improved during the Covid-19 pandemic due to protocols during the lockdown. However, there are many still many variables, such as "when the mass extinction occurs, the power of technology at that time, the probability of wide-scale explosions and unforeseen climate changes, that impact what the outcome would be and how long it would take," said the Spectator. Based on what is known about previous mass extinctions, "we often see biodiversity recovering after major mass extinctions within roughly 2-5 million years," said Erin Saupe, a palaeobiologist at Oxford University, to the BBC. But "recovery can take longer for the most severe environmental perturbations." Ultimately, the extinction of humans "would reveal something about the way we treated the Earth," said Basmajian. "It would also show us that the world we have today can't survive without us and that we can't survive if we don't care for it. To keep it working, civilization, like anything else, requires constant upkeep." Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Massive Underground Blobs May Tell Us Where the Next Mass Extinction Could Start
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Volcanoes are responsible for some of the greatest bouts of biological devastation in Earth's history. A new study aims to determine whether giant volcanic eruptions are related to BLOBS—mobile basal structures related to well-known large low-shear-velocity provinces (LLSVPs). Comparing seismic tomography data with their models, the researchers found evidence of slow-moving blobs that shift at about one centimeter per year. The story of life on Earth is also a story about volcanoes—that is, extinction-level volcanic events capable of nearly wiping the planet's biological slate clean. The Permian-Triassic extinction, for instance—which took place some 252 million years ago—can be attributed to an abnormally volcanic region known as the Siberian Traps, and volcanic eruptions also sped along the end of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago (though a ten-kilometer-wide asteroid deserves most of the credit for that one). So, it makes sense that understanding the deep-Earth origins of these events could help scientists reconstruct Earth's geologic history while also improving our ability to predict where massive volcanic eruptions could occur next. In an attempt to get a better picture of what's happening under our feet, a group of scientists—led by researchers at the University of Wollongong (UOW) in Australia—have reconstructed one billion years of mantle convection and 300 million years of plume conduits to determine the origin of Earth's most intense volcanic events. One of the big questions was: Do big lower-mantle basal structures, known as BLOBS, move or stay fixed in one place? After comparing data from three datasets to their models, they found that BLOBs do likely move, albeit very slowly—roughly one centimeter per year. The results were published last week in the journal Communications Earth & Environment. 'Researching the relationships between volcanic eruptions at the surface with such large-scale dynamic processes occurring 2500 km below our feet puts into perspective how interconnected our planet really is,' Annalise Cucchiaro, UOW Ph.D. candidate and the lead author of the study, said in a press statement. 'This work highlights the importance of mantle plumes in acting as 'magma highways' to the surface, creating these giant eruptions. It also shows that these plumes move along with their source, the BLOBS.' Located 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers under Africa and the Pacific Ocean, the depth at which BLOBS move creates lollipop-shaped mantle plumes—the 'stick' forms the plume's tail and the 'candy' forms the plume's head near the surface. The researchers found that eruptions usually take place above or near these blobs, suggesting that mantle plumes also tilt as they rise up toward the lithosphere. A centimeter per year may not seem like much, but over Earth's geologic history, those centimeters add up to significant changes to the planet's geologic story. Although evidence is strong that BLOBS are dynamic objects, the authors note in an article published in The Conversation that one of the four models also supported the fixed BLOBS theory, so that idea can't be entirely ruled out. But with a greater understanding of how BLOBS move, the scientists are now eager to analyze their chemical composition by tracking their evolution over time. 'This research cracks open one of the questions that has long plagued scientists – are the BLOBS stationary or mobile and how do they relate to giant volcanic explosions,' Nicolas Flament, a co-author of the study from UOW, said in a press statement. 'So it is a thrill to finally begin to unravel these mysteries.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life? Solve the daily Crossword
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Northland orca expert: Reject Waipiro Bay marina fast-tracking
International orca specialist Dr Ingrid Visser. Photo: NZME/ LDR One of the world's top orca experts says a new $100 million-plus marina for Waipiro Bay, in the outer Bay of Islands, could be the "tipping point to extinction" for New Zealand's struggling orca population. Northland-based orca researcher Dr Ingrid Visser has called on Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop to reject the proposed marina's fast-tracking application. "There are many orca populations around the world that face the threat of extinction and New Zealand's orcas are no different," orca research trust founder Visser said. "The Waipiro Bay marina development could be the tipping point towards extinction for our orcas." Photo: The proposed 250-berth marina is backed by multimillionaire businessmen Craig Heatley (Sky TV founder) and marina developer Leigh Hopper. It would be built in Waipiro Bay, a quiet coastal seaside area on Old Russell Rd. It would span the equivalent of about 17 rugby fields, with dredging up to three metres deep removing the equivalent of around 21,000 twenty tonne truckloads of seabed. Dredgings will be made into mudcrete towards reclaiming the equivalent of about six rugby fields of this area for carparks and shops. The marina design notably includes fourteen 50-metre super-sized boat berths, for which no potential price range has been indicated in economic reports supporting the application. The applicant's economist estimates 30 metre berths could sell for up to $1.2 million. A spokesperson for Heatley's Azuma Properties and Hopper's Hopper Developments said they were taking a cautious approach regarding wildlife impacts Minister Bishop is considering whether to allow the developers to apply for fast-tracked consenting via an expert panel. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop. Photo: NZME / LDR A spokesperson for the Minster would not confirm a decision date, stating only that "advice to inform a decision is expected shortly." In response to Visser's orca concerns, Bishop's spokesperson said he was able to make an assessment based on feedback from a range of people including locals, the Minister for the Environment, other relevant Ministers, local authorities and Māori groups. If referred, the developers can submit a more detailed application, which the spokesperson said would be subject to Environmental Protection Authority checks. Bishop's spokesperson said fast-tracking held cut through the "thicket of red and green tape and the jumble of approvals processes that has, until no held New Zealand back from much-needed economic growth while still protecting the environment". Meanwhile the developers' spokesperson said the marina aimed to enhance boating access and services for the eastern Bay of Islands, while contributing to the local economy and community. Developers of a proposed $100 million-plus up to 250 berth marina are seeking the option of fast-track consenting to build to the infrastructure to the left of the yachts moored in foreground Waipiro Bay. Photo: LDR / SUPPLIED "We know how important it is to approach this kind of development with care - especially in a coastal environment like Waipiro Bay. "Hoppers and Azuma are committed to responsible development and have a strong track record of delivering high-quality marine projects," the spokesperson said. Visser has written to Bishop outlining her concerns, saying the marina should instead go through the standard Resource Management Act (RMA) process so community views can be properly considered. Her stance aligns with Far North Mayor Moko Tepania, who recently said the RMA allows people to have their say. Visser said the fast-track application "underplayed" the long-term and irreversible environmental changes that would severely affect orcas and dolphins. An orca enjoying the Bay of Islands. Photo: SUPPLIED / LDR She also challenged the application's claim that the marina would not adversely alter marine mammal habitats. Waipiro Bay marina could not be viewed in isolation from other coastal developments across New Zealand, she said. "People think of it like it's just a single marina, but that's not the case." Visser said orcas travelled 100-150 km a day along the coastline. "They live as long as humans do. Think about how much coastal development we've seen in our lifetimes, and you'll understand what orca are facing. There's a cumulative impact." Dr Ingrid Visser's decades of work looing out for orcas were recognised with a Kiwibank Local hero of the Year Award in 2024. Photo: supplied / LDR Visser said the proposed Waipiro Bay marina would permanently destroy a nationally important area for New Zealand's fewer than 200 orca, which are ranked as "nationally critical" - the government's highest threat level. She said orca needed relatively undeveloped places to rest, socialise, raise young and feed. Waipiro Bay was one of those key places, making it significant in an increasingly crowded marine environment. Visser said the wider Bay of Islands, including Waipiro Bay, was declared a marine mammal sanctuary in November 2021. The sanctuary restricts human and boating interaction within 300 metres of marine mammals. Visser said the marina's public boat ramp would dramatically increase vessel traffic in Waipiro Bay and surrounding areas, raising the risk of harmful boat interactions including boat strike which she had already documented in the Bay of Islands. However, the developers' spokesperson said orca pods successfully navigated Whangārei Harbour's Marsden Cove marina, another Hopper development. Orca often hunted stingray there, offering onlookers memorable experiences. "Their presence and co-habitation is something we value," the spokesperson said. The developers reiterated that Waipiro Bay marina was designed to be functional and beneficial to the local community and economy. - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Grainy phone footage leads to rediscovery of lost species after 46 years
Incredible video taken by a hunter has overturned 46 years of thinking about the extinction of a flightless bird on mainland New Zealand Aotearoa. It had been thought little spotted kiwi (also known as kiwi pukupuku) only survived on small islands and protected areas where it was translocated following significant declines. Luke Hill had been part of a crew tasked with controlling tahr, an invasive species of fast-moving alpine sheep that has adapted to the rugged 46,500-hectare Adams Wilderness Area in the Southern Alps, and if numbers go unchecked, they can destroy plants that provide food and shelter for native species. Like Australia, New Zealand is overrun with feral animals, and it was the attacks from stoats, cats, and ferrets, and dogs, combined with habitat destruction, that led to the decline of the little spotted kiwi. It was close to midnight, and Hill was making his way down to camp through 'tough bush' when he spotted the rare bird. Thinking quickly, Hill whipped out his mobile phone and began to film. The video he took that night (seen below) is grainy, and it's only just possible to make out the small bird behind a fallen log. Related: Concern as rare birds retreat to mountains where giant moa became extinct There are five species of kiwi, and because Hill has a background in conservation, he immediately knew he wasn't looking at one of the common ones. But he was yet to understand the 'magnitude' of his sighting. Hill's footage contained enough information to excite the Department of Conservation, and it choppered out a ranger and his sniffer dog to the remote location. Ranger Iain Graham's mission was to catch one of the birds and extract some of its tiny feathers for DNA testing. Out in the sodden wilderness, he could hear the kiwis 'duetting', distinct calls between a male and female. But the birds proved too fast to catch. 'We were in rough terrain, in typical west coast weather, and I was running out of dry clothes,' he said. With time running out, they captured the female on their final night. He then returned with a colleague and tracked down the male, and both have been fitted with transmitters. All kiwi species are threatened with extinction. Unmanaged populations are declining by two per cent every year. Their eggs are roughly six times bigger than those laid by most birds their size. The last time a little spotted kiwi was seen on the mainland in the wild was 1978. That year, Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta became a global sensation after the release of the movie Grease, disco songs by the Bee Gees were topping the charts, and the total population of New Zealand was just over 3.1 million people. Rare animal hiding in outback photo helps solve decades-long mystery Tourists 'totally outraged' by fishing crew's confronting act at sea Emily King, the leader of the Kiwi Recovery Group, said the rediscovery this year was 'thrilling' for the conservation world. 'Despite years of targeted searching, we hadn't found them until now,' she said. 'We're grateful to the hunter for reporting this and capturing evidence. It was like finding a needle in a haystack, but he pointed us to the right patch to start searching.' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
