Latest news with #habitat
The Drive
2 days ago
- General
- The Drive
World's Largest Wildlife Bridge Spanning 10 Lanes of 101 Freeway Is Nearly Complete
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Three years after construction began, it's time to dump dirt on the project. Specifically, 6,000 cubic yards of a 'super' soil followed by the planting of 5,000 native flora. I'm talking about the world's largest wildlife crossing, which has reached another construction milestone as the bridge nears completion. This prepared soil is the beginning of the end of construction for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, which broke ground on Earth Day in 2022. Located in Agoura Hills, California, the nearly one-acre overpass stretches over a 10-lane section of U.S. 101. The physical bridge structure is essentially complete, having required 26 million pounds of concrete, Beth Pratt of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) told KCAL . The NWF Regional Executive Director added, 'We just put the soil on top, and then we start burying utility lines and extend it over the access road.' Multiple layers of soil will be needed to create a wildlife habitat on the overpass, and the soil application alone will take several weeks. However, when the Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is done, the bridge will reconnect the bisected areas of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. With more than 150,000 acres, SMMNRA is the country's largest urban national park. But the freeways have long isolated the local fauna, from butterflies and cottontails to bobcats and mountain lions. According to the project, as far back as the 1980s, researchers identified the Liberty Canyon area as a choke point for wildlife. However, it wasn't until the National Park Service began a decades-long study of the region's mountain lion population that the 101 freeway was deemed 'the most significant barrier to the ecological health of the region.' More than 300,000 vehicles travel along U.S. 101 daily. That's enough traffic to give a driver anxiety—try being a local critter having to dart across the road just to find dinner. P-22, arguably the most famous mountain lion in and outside of Hollywood, surprised everyone by crossing freeways on his own. He eventually became the poster cat for the 'Save L.A. cougars' campaign. Unfortunately, he was euthanized in late 2022 after being found with severe injuries, likely due to a vehicle collision, and a myriad of other health issues. Mountain lions are the main conservation focus of this wildlife bridge. The big cats are territorial, and being locked in by freeways limits their roaming range and biodiversity. Without the crossing to expand their habitat, SoCal cougars could be extinct within 50 years. They also continue to be killed by vehicles. 'In the Liberty Canyon area where we're putting the crossing, within the last four years, we've had four mountain lions killed just in that general area,' Pratt said. Not just providing access to more sources of food, shelter, and mates, but the bridge would also offer an escape route from wildfires and other disasters. The Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is expected to reach completion next year.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Passes installed to help eels move through Somerset rivers
Endangered eels have been given a boost thanks to a project to help them access the habitat they need to eel passes are being installed in the North Moor and King's Sedgemoor areas to help them move around the ditch network of the Somerset Levels passes act as ladders that allow eels to swim up and over weirs and more easily through the rhynes and project, funded by Natural England, is being carried out by the Parrett Internal Drainage Board. Ecologist, Phil Brewin, said: "We are confident the decline in eel numbers experienced in recent years can be reversed." Glass eels swim to Europe from their breeding grounds in the Sargasso Sea. They arrive in the Severn Estuary in large numbers each spring before swimming inland via the River Brue and River Parrett where they mature ahead of making the return journey.A big threat to the creatures are manmade structures in watercourses such as weirs that act as a barrier, blocking their movement, but the eel passes allow them to bypass the barriers and complete their journey to new habitats. Simon Phelps, project lead for Natural England said: "Eels are a fascinating species and we're lucky to have them in Somerset."We hope to be able to do more of this type of thing in the future, to make the Levels and Moors a more welcoming place for this special creature."An eel pass was installed in Nottinghamshire in December and a fish pass on the River Severn in Worcester has allowed rare twaite shad to reach an ancient spawning ground for the first time in 180 years.
Mail & Guardian
27-05-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
Dragonflies: Ancient insects helping to save modern ecosystems
Dragonflies, known for their striking aerial acrobatics and near 360-degree vision, are one of the oldest groups of winged insects on Earth. Long before there were dinosaurs, there were dragonflies. That's one of the things about the ephemeral insects, with their long, slender bodies and gossamer-thin wings, that fascinates entomologist Dragonflies, known for their striking aerial acrobatics and near 360-degree vision, are one of the 'The dragonfly group is ancient, and based on fossil records, their origin dates back around 300 million years ago,' said Deacon, a postdoctoral research fellow at 'The staggering age of the first dragonflies provide us with a look into how life was in the distant past. Contemporary dragonflies retain most body features of Dragonflies, a blanket term for both 'true dragonflies' and 'damselflies', are a relatively small group of insects, consisting of about 6 400 species worldwide. For Deacon, what makes these expert fliers interesting is that they are valuable insects for assessing water and land quality. 'Groups of dragonfly species in a defined habitat can tell us a lot about deteriorating environmental conditions and the requirements to restore degraded areas.' To ensure the long-term survival of dragonflies and other creatures that share their habitats, they must be included more widely in biodiversity conservation efforts and policies. This is the key recommendation from a group of dragonfly experts from 17 countries, including South Africa, Mexico, Australia and the United States. Their recent Insect Conservation and Diversity , proposes a five-point action plan to promote dragonflies in freshwater and riverbank conservation. These are expanding and enhancing dragonfly assessment and monitoring; including dragonflies in standard The scientists said global dragonfly conservation hinges on these five actions implemented across different regions and landscapes. Deacon noted that although dragonflies are sensitive to changes in their habitats, at the same time, they can recover remarkably well when environmental pressure is lifted. 'This means that we can investigate them to learn how we can improve conditions for them, and the other creatures they share their habitats with.' Dragonflies inspire curiosity and appreciation, he said. 'Being surrounded by dragonflies, it is striking to notice their charisma — most dragonflies appear to be attuned to the presence of people in their environments, some would even approach visitors, sometimes seemingly posing for just long enough to show off their beauty.' About Overarching these threats, which often interact, is According to the review, dragonflies could also help measure the success of conservation efforts. Some examples include the global reduction of human exploitation of wetlands through sustainable land-use practices, beaver reintroduction programmes in Europe, habitat restoration programmes including management of highly invasive alien species, sustainable drainage systems development in cities to enhance resilience to extreme weather and water-related events — creating new dragonfly habitats — and clean energy projects. South Africa is home to 65 damselfly species and 96 dragonfly species. Population sizes vary from one location to the next, and according to environmental conditions, Deacon said. 'For example, during wet years, dragonfly population sizes may be inflated, while during dry years, dragonfly populations decline. The dragonfly species with specific habitat requirements are most at risk, while those with broader habitat preferences are more resilient, even benefitting from artificial habitats in urban and agricultural areas.' In South Africa, Dragonfly survival depends on both land and water. 'They breed in water, and this is where the eggs and larvae are found. But the surrounding land is where the adults are found, and where they mature, hunt, pursue mates, and seek suitable habitat to breed.' About a third of the species found in South Africa are endemic. 'While the northeastern region of South Africa is home to the widest variety of species, most endemic species are found in the Western Cape,' Deacon said. In their review, the scientists said it is essential to continue and expand the assessment and monitoring of dragonfly population sizes, distributions and the groups of species that live in specific areas. This information feeds into international conservation prioritisation frameworks and initiatives for understanding conservation risks and declines relative to human pressures and ongoing climate change. 'Monitoring and evaluation during the early stages of conservation programmes are critical to ensure that dragonfly populations, habitats and ecosystems are effectively assessed over time. This approach also helps to quantify threats and measure the level of conservation success. Information gathered through assessment and monitoring must be translated into practical conservation efforts and policy decisions. By including dragonflies in broader conservation initiatives, conservation policies and management globally will become more effective. 'We need policies that focus on overall biodiversity protection, with dragonflies being an important component,' the authors said. The ability of dragonflies to survive under different environmental conditions depends on the traits or characteristics of individual species. 'For some species, these traits may help them adapt to or benefit from human activities, such as creation of ponds. Others, however, may lack these traits, making them vulnerable to local extinction. While databases on the traits of dragonflies are expanding, other unknown characteristics may also play a role in their ability to adapt to changing environments.' The researchers called for conservation efforts that link water and land, improve connectivity between habitats, and better maintain water and soil quality. This landscape approach is based on the idea that efforts to protect dragonflies will also benefit other organisms that share similar habitats and requirements. 'Updating regional species lists and developing field guides and digital applications help with species identification. These resources also have great potential to develop knowledge on how they live in ecosystems and interact with plants and animals they share these ecosystems with.' The scientists emphasised the value of citizen science in enhancing research on conservation and management requirements. 'Understanding the cultural role of dragonflies across various regions, will, in turn, spark interest in them, encourage a desire to protect them, and feed into policymaking.' Deacon noted that They
CBC
24-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Habitat for endangered caribou threatened by eastern Manitoba wildfire
A wildfire around Nopiming Provincial Park has destroyed much of the habitat for a woodland caribou herd during the season in which females are giving birth. Experts are worried about the long-term effect on boreal woodland caribou, classified as threatened under Manitoba's Endangered Species Act.
The Review Geek
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Murderbot – Season 1 Episode 3 Recap & Review
Risk Assessment Episode 3 of Murderbot begins with Preservation Society preparing to head across to the adjacent lab. Before they leave, Mensah gently encourages Murderbot to lower his helmet down so he's shown as part of the team. On the ship, our titular character is too busy watching his sci-fi soap operas and he's not particularly happy about being constantly interrupted by the group trying to converse with him. This is particularly noticeable when Ratthi speaks to him, with Murderbot irritated by this whole ordeal. Back over at the Preservation Aux habitat, Bharadwaj is healing well but she's still traumatized by the experience. Gurathin offers some behaviour modules but she turns him down. Murderbot continues to keep an eye on the guy though as he sneaks into Mensah's room and smells her pillow, very evidently missing her. When the group find out that Murderbot has been reading their logs, Mensah approaches and tries to work out if he means them harm or not. Murderbot's long pause doesn't do his case any favours, especially his hilarious monologue about his disdain for humanity. His quips are the comedic glue that keep this episode ticking over, and eventually they do make it to the habitat. Landing on the perimeter, right by a lake, the group approach slowly. Our Murderbot takes the lead though, heading inside the base as the others don't really have military-grade weapons training here. Murderbot immediately finds the destroyed SecUnit we saw briefly at the end of the last episode. His curiosity gets the better of him, as he finds the entire team destroyed and killed. Mensah wants Murderbot to leave but radio interference causes their communication to cut out. Turns out this was Murderbot's doing, as he's not ready to leave just yet. It would appear one of the SecUnit's has gone rogue and killed the others, eventually leading to Murderbot taking the prone bot out before it can do any more damage. Checking over the body, Murderbot realizes that somebody has taken control of the SecUnit. But who? Well, the answer comes in the form of another Bot entering the room and firing at our titular character. The Episode Review So Murderbot returns with a great episode, sporting solid production values and a hilarious comedic tone. The episodes definitely feel a bit too short though and it's disappointing to find this one only clocking in at 22 minutes. The show is just starting to find its groove and ending these quick-bite episodes like this is in danger of losing the momentum as the weeks tick by. Even so though, the show has a lot to whet the appetite here. The characters are generally quite interesting and what's particularly ironic is how Murderbot is probably more human than he gives himself credit for, given his current motives and curiosity. Either way, we'll have to wait and see where this one goes next week. Previous Episode Next Episode Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes!
