Island Conservation
Conservationists are working to prevent further extinctions on the Hawaiian Islands. What do you imagine when you think of the Hawaiian Islands? Do you picture beautiful beaches, lush forests, and the diverse species that have evolved there? You might not expect anyone to mention extinction or endangered species in a conversation about this world-class vacation […]
New drone technology is supporting conservation efforts by helping count seabirds. CapeNature, a government organization responsible for maintaining wilderness areas and biodiversity conservation in South Africa, has recently enlisted the help of drones to revolutionize its seabird counts on Dyer Island. This island is a very important area for seabirds–especially the African Penguin. The organization […]
Critically Endangered Southern Corroboree Frog averts extinction with the release of 1000 captive-bred eggs into critical habitat. Conservationists are hopeful the release will help wild populations to recover. High in the sub-alpine bogs of the Snowy Mountains lives one of Australia’s most striking and rare species, the Southern Corroboree Frog. This poisonous frog is endemic […]
Watching an island recover after conservation intervention is a welcome challenge for scientists. Islands are well known for their vibrant, unique native plants and wildlife. Unfortunately, many island ecosystems around the world are unraveling due to the presence of invasive species. Invasive species prey on native wildlife, decimate native vegetation, and outcompete the island’s native […]
Extinction loomed for the Endangered Antipodes Island Wandering Albatross, but luckily conservationists have taken action. The Endangered Antipodes Island Wandering Albatross will be functionally extinct (meaning that mating pair numbers will be so low there is no chance of their species survival) in the next 20 years if the population continues to decline. This rare […]
Islands are biodiversity hotspots, but also extinction epicenters. Fortunately, there is a way to protect these vibrant ecosystems. Islands are home to a great diversity of rare and endemic species. With the advent of global travel, humans have spread around the world, ventured into these sensitive ecosystems, and in many cases, have introduced species that […]
Australia is known for its unique ecosystems that support an array of wildlife. However, over 1,800 plant, animal, and ecological communities in the region face extinction right now. Two years ago, the Bramble Cay Melomys was the first mammal to go extinct as a direct result of climate change. Perhaps this extinction could have been […]
Invasive species damage ecosystems, economies, agriculture, and human health. You can apply these simple recommendations to help stop the dispersal of invasive species. 1. Care for your pets Many invasive species have been traced back to releases of pets into the wild. Only adopt a pet if you are confident you can take care of […]
Celebrate the species that are returning from the brink of extinction thanks to conservation efforts. By: Robert Lovell Humans have played a significant role in the earth’s velocious animal extinction, increasing the loss of species by 1,000 times the natural rate according to recent studies. However, successful conservation projects show us that we have the […]
A number of biologists have recently made the argument that extinction is part of evolution and that saving species need not be a conservation priority. But this revisionist thinking shows a lack of understanding of evolution and an ignorance of the natural world. By: Carl Safina A few years ago, I helped lead a ship-based expedition along […]