Sunday, May 19, 2019
Studying species intensely has been an ongoing project for at least the last decade. The scientists of nearly every country conducted an earnest effort to assess and count species and their populations. Now, this report is very serious, no one should be putting it aside or diminishing it's importance, however, some of the problems that are causing problems are also workable to end the danger. The one danger, in particular, our ocean species are facing is plastics. So, there is much work to do and for the aspects of this report that are workable, the work needs to begin.
On 22 May at 10:00 A.M., (click here) #BiodiversityDay, the IPBES slogan 'Science and Policy for People and Nature' will be well-served in Washington D.C. as Sir Bob Watson, Eduardo S. Brondizio and Yunne Shin testify before the House Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife oversight hearing entitled, “Responding to the Global Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem."
Nature is declining globally (click here) at rates unprecedented in human history — and the rate of species extinction is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world now likely, warns a landmark new report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the summary of which was approved at the 7th session of the IPBES Plenary, meeting last week (29 April – 4 May) in Paris.
“The overwhelming evidence of the IPBES Global Assessment, from a wide range of different fields of knowledge, presents an ominous picture,” said IPBES Chair, Sir Robert Watson. “The health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever. We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide.”
“The Report also tells us that it is not too late to make a difference, but only if we start now at every level from local to global,” he said. “Through ‘transformative change’, nature can still be conserved, restored and used sustainably – this is also key to meeting most other global goals. By transformative change, we mean a fundamental, system-wide reorganization across technological, economic and social factors, including paradigms, goals and values.”
“The member States of IPBES Plenary have now acknowledged that, by its very nature, transformative change can expect opposition from those with interests vested in the status quo, but also that such opposition can be overcome for the broader public good,” Watson said.
The IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is the most comprehensive ever completed. It is the first intergovernmental Report of its kind and builds on the landmark Millennium Ecosystem Assessment of 2005, introducing innovative ways of evaluating evidence....
May 17th was "Endangered Species Day"
Today (click here) is Endangered Species Day, which is hardly cause for celebration, as ideally no such occasion would exist. This is not an ideal world, however. That was clear earlier this month when the UN’s biodiversity and ecosystem arm IPBES reported that one million species worldwide are threatened with extinction.
Yet conservationist Rob Shumaker—author, orangutan expert, and president of the Indianapolis Zoo, which biennially awards the Indianapolis prize, the most prestigious global award in conservation—is optimistic. “You have a lot of power. You can save endangered species,” he urges enthusiastically over the phone, explaining what he wants everyone to take away from the UN’s report. “The government has to look at broader policy issues…but that isn’t permission for individuals to give up. Individuals can have a massive impact.”...
Ready? This is an indicator species in New York State.
This is the male. He has a cousin that is brown, but, lives in the western USA.
Conifer (click here) and mixed woods. In winter, open woods, undergrowth, roadsides, brush. Over its wide range, breeding habitat is consistently coniferous or mixed woodland, usually in rather open situations such as edges or clearings.
Winters in many kinds of semi-open habitats including woodland edges, thickets, brushy places, suburban areas....
This is only one of the indicator species for a Northern Hardwood forest. There are others, but, this is an easy start.
There is also an online resource guide for more forest plant species. It is a little more sophisticated, but, once anyone becomes familiar with it, its use becomes easy.
The New York Flora Atlas (click here) is a source of information for the distribution of plants within the state, as well as information on plant habitats, associated ecological communities, and taxonomy. In addition, users can learn about the location of vouchered specimens and see images to get a better visual for each plant. The next step is to create a Manual to the New York State Flora. Early efforts are underway to move towards this goal.
By Greg Jayne
Bill Dewey (click here) of Taylor Shellfish in Shelton, Wash., and his colleagues watch oyster hatchery water quality levels carefully to keep plumes of acidic water from eating very young oysters.
We can’t afford it. (click here)
Of the many climate-related issues mentioned by Gov. Jay Inslee, from detailing this year’s legislative action in Olympia to advocating a World War II-like economic mobilization to mentioning the health impacts of a warming world, that was the thing that stood out: We can’t afford to ignore it.
“People say, ‘How are you gonna pay for this?,’ ” Inslee said. “I go, ‘How are you gonna pay for Paradise, Calif., that burned down? How you gonna pay for the utility industry? The largest utility in California just went bankrupt. How you gonna pay for the floods? I’m going to Iowa next week, where there’s been a billion-and-a-half dollars damage. How do you pay for that?”
Inslee was speaking to The Columbian’s Editorial Board and, naturally, the conversation turned to the climate. Inslee, after all, is a climate-action evangelist who is bringing his gospel to the nation while seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. And the underlying message was that ignoring the crisis will be more costly than dealing with it.
Oh, critics might decry the Green New Deal proposed in Congress as too expensive. They might warn that moving the United States’ electrical grid away from fossil fuels will raise utility prices. They might say that the economy will crumble under the weight of decisive action.
All of which is kind of like Franklin D. Roosevelt saying in 1942, “it’s too expensive to fight the Nazis; we’ll just let them win.” As Eliza Barclay and Jag Bhalla wrote for Vox.com: “Is there any benefit now that can outweigh the risk of your descendants suffering or not surviving? The only long-lasting cultures are those that don’t eat their seed corn or choose to always put the present above what they know they’ll need to survive in the future.”
Inslee has long been sounding the alarm on climate change; he even co-authored a 2007 book about it — “Apollo’s Fire: Igniting America’s Clean Energy Economy.” And, as we detailed in last week’s column about the newly passed state budget, he is a firm believer in government’s ability to use taxes to drive the economy and bring about social change....
New York State is very lucky. It has a very old "Herbarium."
I believe the Clinton Herbarium dates back to the late 1800s. That is extremely valuable. Their plants are preserved and can be accessed for identification of the natural flora that exists today in New York State forests. BUT, this herbarium also provides a very valuable look to the HISTORICAL species of New York State. It can be recaptured through growing and reestablishing NATIVE HERITAGE SPECIES.
Botany (click here)
c. 120,000 specimens
The Clinton Herbarium is the ninth oldest herbarium in the US
Largest collection of plant specimens from Western New York
Largest and best regional collection of Boletes in the United States, which includes many type specimens
Yes, there will be snakes. As a rule, they are not indicator species.
May 12, 2019
By Patti Neighmond
It was a warm, wet winter (click here) this year across much of the United States. In most states, this means more greenery, more rabbits, more rodents and more snakes — which raises the risk of snake bites for humans and their canine companions.
Biologist Gerad Fox is standing next to a loud rattlesnake. "Right now he's in a classic strike posture, very defensive," says Fox. "The rattle is a warning, saying, 'Back off. I'm dangerous. You should leave me alone.' "
Fox teaches biology classes at Loma Linda University in California and also runs rattlesnake avoidance training classes for dogs.
I took my dog, Baxter, to one of these classes, where he learned how to recognize the sight and scent of snakes as a danger to avoid.
"Snakes are part of our ecosystem and deserve to be there," says Fox. They don't want to hurt us, he explains, but if you or your dog stumble on one by mistake, they will bite.
"Rattlesnakes can bite multiple times. They have a large reservoir of venom," says Fox....
By Patti Neighmond
It was a warm, wet winter (click here) this year across much of the United States. In most states, this means more greenery, more rabbits, more rodents and more snakes — which raises the risk of snake bites for humans and their canine companions.
Biologist Gerad Fox is standing next to a loud rattlesnake. "Right now he's in a classic strike posture, very defensive," says Fox. "The rattle is a warning, saying, 'Back off. I'm dangerous. You should leave me alone.' "
Fox teaches biology classes at Loma Linda University in California and also runs rattlesnake avoidance training classes for dogs.
I took my dog, Baxter, to one of these classes, where he learned how to recognize the sight and scent of snakes as a danger to avoid.
"Snakes are part of our ecosystem and deserve to be there," says Fox. They don't want to hurt us, he explains, but if you or your dog stumble on one by mistake, they will bite.
"Rattlesnakes can bite multiple times. They have a large reservoir of venom," says Fox....
Indicator species of plants occur commonly enough that it is not difficult to find them. Rare species can be indicator species, but, they are more difficult to find. When rare species are indicator species they become a focus of protection in a different and less common way. Such species are "spotted" on a nature walk and provide reassurance that the forest is doing well.
Indicator species of animals are not usually large animals. Larger animals have territorial needs and can extend between forests. In a walk through a forest, animal footprints are interesting to note as each species is a part of the community, but, more common smaller animals are better as indicator species because they become residents to the forest and require the forest health to maintain their lives and lifecycles.
In referencing the Northern Spotted Owl before it is easy to understand why this species is so important. It survives in a specific type of forest, thrives on the animals it hunts and of course, those hunted animals rely on the entire ecosystem of the forest to thrive. When the species preyed upon is thriving the predator does well, too.
So, a good animal indicator will probably be a predator that hunts the forest and thrives at the top of the food chain or food web if that is easier to understand.
Indicator species of animals are not usually large animals. Larger animals have territorial needs and can extend between forests. In a walk through a forest, animal footprints are interesting to note as each species is a part of the community, but, more common smaller animals are better as indicator species because they become residents to the forest and require the forest health to maintain their lives and lifecycles.
In referencing the Northern Spotted Owl before it is easy to understand why this species is so important. It survives in a specific type of forest, thrives on the animals it hunts and of course, those hunted animals rely on the entire ecosystem of the forest to thrive. When the species preyed upon is thriving the predator does well, too.
So, a good animal indicator will probably be a predator that hunts the forest and thrives at the top of the food chain or food web if that is easier to understand.
Nebraska. Yes, that is a real picture.
A tornado touches down in a field west of McCook on Friday. The system continued north through the evening with a confirmed touchdown near Moorefield in northern Frontier County, and again near Cozad in Dawson County.
A lone super cell (click here) soaked up all the atmosphere’s energy Friday and unleashed a four-hour, 120-mile long string of tornadoes that caused damage to rural homes but mostly missed populated areas in central Nebraska.
“It looks like it dropped about a dozen tornadoes,” said Cliff Cole, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in North Platte. Cole described it as one of the longer tornadic events in central Nebraska in recent memory.
Three separate weather service offices — North Platte, Hastings and Goodland, Kansas — investigated the tornadoes Saturday, determining that most were EF1 on the F Scale — a rating system from 0 to 5 based on the amount of damage caused.
The strongest tornado appeared to be a EF3 that touched down northwest of Stockville in rural Frontier County about 55 miles southeast of North Platte, which caused significant damage to a rural home, he said....
I want to imagine for a minute it is winter. There are pine trees that have survived and even thrived through a "normal" winter, but, not much else. As Spring rolls out and the growth of a forest begins there is an order to that growth.
The first plants to bloom in Spring are the herbaceous layer. The plants, including grasses, that are on the ground. It is more than just grass, it is also what would be called weeds, but, the life of the forest is beginning and the small insects and animals that live among the herbaceous layer begin their lifecycle.
This is the same pattern every year. It begins where water first has accumulated and the sunlight provides for photosynthesis. Every year, the herbaceous layer grows first.
It is followed by the shrub and bush layer of plants and animals. Then comes the understory of trees. The shorter trees. Then the awakening of the canopy. It is a progression every year that rolls out the same way. There is an order to these communities which provide food, water and sunlight to the forest that will support and protect the animals that live there.
Summer follows with more intense sunlight and ultimately autumn will follow and finally the cold function of winter to end the lives of opportunistic weeds, bacteria, virus, fungus and all the predatory aspects of a forest. Winter and it's depth of cold vary and that variety of weather provides for forest health, REST and protection.
Summer follows with more intense sunlight and ultimately autumn will follow and finally the cold function of winter to end the lives of opportunistic weeds, bacteria, virus, fungus and all the predatory aspects of a forest. Winter and it's depth of cold vary and that variety of weather provides for forest health, REST and protection.
There are basically two types of forest communities in New York State. The majority of the forest is Northern Hardwoods. Between the Northern Hardwoods and the coast is the Oak-Hickory Forest. Now all these are communities. The coastal area can be considered a third type and is mostly Maple and Basswood.
Within each of these communities are species of plants and animals. Consider this, with each passing season there are also communities. I am sure everyone has heard the idea that birds migrate. Well, if they migrate then their food sources are along a pattern that permits survival. Birding enthusiasts know what a bird flyway is. They are important and they are seasonal lending themselves to different species of birds for each season.
March 9, 2016
A male Cardinal (click here) sits on a bird feeder at the Derby Hill Bird Observatory in Mexico.
Sure, a backyard robin is a welcome sign of spring in Upstate New York, but if you've never experienced the sight of a kettle of hawks soaring overhead, get ready to welcome spring from a new point of view. New York State is fabulously situated along the Atlantic Flyway, one of four air routes migrating birds use to get back to their northern homes after spending the winter in warmer climes. Many birds, from large to small, migrate. The larger ones, like hawks, are most visible and get the most attention. More than 650 species of breeding birds make their homes in North America, and more than half migrate....
To realize there are certain species that will travel along a certain path over the land is to realize the DEFINITION conservation takes and what forest health means and how vital human interest is to protect these communities.
Protection is not a casual issue. It is not a simple issue. Is providing a healthy meal to children simple? Of course not. It has taken a great deal of study to understand the human body, that of a child and the nutrition it needs. Hence, the analogy can be applied when realizing PROTECTIONS of forest is not very different than the vigilance a parent would give to a child. Everything has to work and work well.
Within each of these communities are species of plants and animals. Consider this, with each passing season there are also communities. I am sure everyone has heard the idea that birds migrate. Well, if they migrate then their food sources are along a pattern that permits survival. Birding enthusiasts know what a bird flyway is. They are important and they are seasonal lending themselves to different species of birds for each season.
March 9, 2016
A male Cardinal (click here) sits on a bird feeder at the Derby Hill Bird Observatory in Mexico.
Sure, a backyard robin is a welcome sign of spring in Upstate New York, but if you've never experienced the sight of a kettle of hawks soaring overhead, get ready to welcome spring from a new point of view. New York State is fabulously situated along the Atlantic Flyway, one of four air routes migrating birds use to get back to their northern homes after spending the winter in warmer climes. Many birds, from large to small, migrate. The larger ones, like hawks, are most visible and get the most attention. More than 650 species of breeding birds make their homes in North America, and more than half migrate....
To realize there are certain species that will travel along a certain path over the land is to realize the DEFINITION conservation takes and what forest health means and how vital human interest is to protect these communities.
Protection is not a casual issue. It is not a simple issue. Is providing a healthy meal to children simple? Of course not. It has taken a great deal of study to understand the human body, that of a child and the nutrition it needs. Hence, the analogy can be applied when realizing PROTECTIONS of forest is not very different than the vigilance a parent would give to a child. Everything has to work and work well.
One minute there is a home and moments later there is not.
Wesley Mantooth lifts a chair through a window of his father's home in Abilene, Texas, on May 18. Residents said a tornado struck in the early-morning hours.
A spate of tornadoes (click here) raked across the Southern Plains on Saturday, leaving damage and causing injuries, with parts of the region bracing for more severe thunderstorms and possible flooding.
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-2 twister Saturday morning with winds up to 130 mph that destroyed at least two homes and left one person with minor injuries in southwestern Oklahoma....
I want to talk about young New York State forests as they should be, not so much as they may present themselves initially.
When a group of people set out to protect land and RETURN it's natural quality there is always a disappointing start as the realization that the land has been abused or mismanaged and the entire venture seems impossible.
I want to reassure anyone reading this blog that I write nothing here that is impossible. There is no ideology. This is a practical working knowledge of the land and it's nature that can be FORCED to return to health and glorious heritage forests. Forests result because of geography, land and climate.
Forests are communities. They have what are called "Indicator Species." There are tree indicator species, animal indicator species and even insect and soil indicator species. It is these indicator species that will tell the health of the forest. I am sure anyone with a casual understanding of conservation has heard the concept of indicator species.
The most famous indicator species most Americans know is the "Northern Spotted Owl" of the Northwest (click here).
I was going to cover some birds this evening considering this is already May, But, then I realized there isn't a good discussion of birds without talking about trees. And there isn't a good discussion about trees unless there is a logical way to approach the subject of trees. So, I think I need to cover some basics that will lead to a greater appreciation and enjoyment of the young forest of New York State.
"Fly" by Celine Dion (click here for official website - thank you)
Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again
Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
Until we meet
Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me
Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won't forget
Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light
Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again
Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
Until we meet
Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me
Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won't forget
Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light
FOX News, Nunes and Barr are conflating Christopher Steele emails at the FBI and SPYING on the Trump campaign. If this is how a propaganda campaign begins then I can do that.
Barr is in El Salvador strolling through a jail where MS 13 is behind bars. They are behind bars by the way.
What I want to know about El Salvador is how the economy is doing without USA subsidies so the drug cartels can remain behind bars just like MS 13. They are behind bars, right? The drug cartels because those are the organizations driving people of the Northern Triad to the border of the USA. So, while Barr is obsessed with MS13, what is happening with the drug cartels? No more killings, right? No more child soldiers, right?
FOX STORY LINE is simpleton stuff. Spying, Steele, Hillary Clinton, dirty top level leaders at the FBI, bad guy Comey, hush hush alliance with Russia has no value for these propagandists. I really think the Clintons, Comey and former FBI leadership have a real slander case against FOX, Barr and Trump. Put Nunes in there, too.
It is very obvious someone is writing a campaign story line for Trump’s election. The repeated script, the absence of facts and an exclusive content to hold viewers attention. I am confident there are plenty FCC violations. FOX will never be leaned on to clean up their act.
I have never seen a USA attorney general so willing to say, “I don’t know at least not yet.” With all the people employed by the FBI he remains unable to answer highly inflammatory questions. He is a proven liar. What does anyone expect?
I think the US House needs to demand their records ASAP before Barr says he doesn’t know where they are either.
Barr is in El Salvador strolling through a jail where MS 13 is behind bars. They are behind bars by the way.
What I want to know about El Salvador is how the economy is doing without USA subsidies so the drug cartels can remain behind bars just like MS 13. They are behind bars, right? The drug cartels because those are the organizations driving people of the Northern Triad to the border of the USA. So, while Barr is obsessed with MS13, what is happening with the drug cartels? No more killings, right? No more child soldiers, right?
FOX STORY LINE is simpleton stuff. Spying, Steele, Hillary Clinton, dirty top level leaders at the FBI, bad guy Comey, hush hush alliance with Russia has no value for these propagandists. I really think the Clintons, Comey and former FBI leadership have a real slander case against FOX, Barr and Trump. Put Nunes in there, too.
It is very obvious someone is writing a campaign story line for Trump’s election. The repeated script, the absence of facts and an exclusive content to hold viewers attention. I am confident there are plenty FCC violations. FOX will never be leaned on to clean up their act.
I have never seen a USA attorney general so willing to say, “I don’t know at least not yet.” With all the people employed by the FBI he remains unable to answer highly inflammatory questions. He is a proven liar. What does anyone expect?
I think the US House needs to demand their records ASAP before Barr says he doesn’t know where they are either.
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