Capital Berg

Keeps People Up-To-Date

Thursday, March 4, 2021
Log in

Migratory Birds at Risk of Extinction

By

"northern cardinal"

Migratory Birds at Risk of Extinction

Studies show that 37% of the bird population in North America is in danger of extinction. There are almost 350 species of migratory birds that travel the territory each year, among which tropical forest birds, ocean birds and grassland birds.

The 2016 North America Bird Report

The results of the report are troubling for the scientific community. The decrease in migratory bird population might have a paramount consequence on natural life, including for humans.

The factors involved in the bird population decline are ranging from habitat loss to global climate modifications and pesticides. There has been no single factor determined for this change in the number of birds. A multitude of events and practices have impacted wildlife in time.

Canadian biologists stated that migratory birds are connecting the nations from the North America, and a collective effort must be made to ensure the preservation of these species. The author makes a call to all involved territories to start taking initiatives towards biodiversity conservation.

International Conservation Efforts

Scientists, policymakers, and non-governmental organizations have met in Ottawa to analyze the results of the Birds report and to find new strategies for conservation. Three countries participated at this conference, all nations from North America: The United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Canadian Minister, also present, supports the international collaboration in preserving migratory birds, as joined efforts may have extraordinary results in biodiversity.

A successful example of conservation actions is the case of wood ducks. Their population has decreased in numbers over the last decades. The negative factors involved were the loss of habitat and hunting for commercial purposes. By combined efforts of governments involved, the wood duck population has again increased their numbers.

Actions for the future

America is still at risk of losing almost half of its bird species. The author of the bird study says that conservation efforts in Canada should be complemented by actions taken by the territories in their vicinity.

Migratory birds should be continuously monitored, and closer attention should be given to their number and behaviors. Close communication between states on their findings should ensure that everyone is making efforts towards conservation.

One of the reasons for which migratory birds have suffered in the last years is, in fact, the lack of coordination between governments in their preservation strategies. Almost 90% of the bird population is not thoroughly protected along their migratory paths.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Polar Bears shifting northwards for favorable conditions

By

polar-bears-shifting-favourable-conditions

Due to the erosion of the favorable and suitable conditions and the instability in the east and south of the Arctic region, Polar Bears are moving to the far Northern side of the Canada where they can find plentiful of ice.

While analyzing the genetic construction of the polar bear populations, scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey found that over the last three generations (beginning in the 1990s) polar bears have been slowly migrating north — to the Canadian Archipelago.

“Instead of sort of random movements of bears across the Arctic that we found in sort of the more ancient historical picture, we found directional movement towards the Canadian Archipelago,” Lily Peacock, a wildlife biologist with USGS, told Alaska Public Radio Network (APRN).

Scientists say that this gene analysis provides a wider angle than the studies performed by simply tracking the polar bear via satellite.

“By examining the genetic makeup of polar bears, we can estimate levels and directions of gene flow, which represents the past story of mating and movement, and population expansion and contraction. Gene flow occurs over generations, and would not be detectable by using data from satellite-collars which can only be deployed on a few polar bears for short periods of time.” Peacock explained in a press release.”

According to the researchers the change in the gene is gradual and this trend highlights the vulnerability of this species. As population becomes isolated it is at greater risk of extinction.

“And what can happen when populations of animals become isolated is that they can blink out if something happens. If they have a bad winter or bad spring and that stresses the population and it gets smaller and smaller, but the migration corridor has been cut off and you can’t repopulate.” Peacock told APRN.

Monarch Butterflies Might Get Endangered Species Protection Status

By

Monarch-Butterflies

The US Fish and Wildlife Service will perform a year-long review to figure out whether it is obliged to give monarch butterfly protection under the Endangered Species Act. The number of monarchs has pointedly declined over the past two decades. The decrease could be more than 90%, said the Center for Biological Diversity.

Monarch butterflies have different orange and black markings and are renowned for their yearly movements, flying a great many miles from Canada, through the US and down to Mexico, every year.

The USFWS said, “due to dangers along their migratory paths and on their breeding and wintering grounds, this trip has ended up loaded with threat for most of the monarchs.”

Habitat annihilation and killings of caterpillars that in the end transform into butterflies are the two primary reasons of staged decrease in the populace of monarch butterflies.

Amid the mid 1990s, the populace of monarch butterflies was 1 billion, however the populace reduced just 35 million in 2013. As per researchers, a vast populace is the necessity of monarchs to stay strong from dangers of predators and intense climate.

Amid the winter months, birds can prey on almost 50% of the Monarch populace in Mexico. One storm alone in 2012 wrecked an expected 500 million monarch butterflies. “We are very delighted that the fed responsible for securing our country’s wildlife has acknowledged the terrible situation of the monarch Protection as a endangered species will allow extensive monarch habitat recuperation on both public and private grounds”, said Sarina Jepsen, the Xerces Society’s threatened species director.

US Fish and Wildlife Service has said that the review may take a year to decide whether or not the species needs to be given with necessary protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Keurig Green Mountain Recalled 6.6Mn Coffee Makers Because Of Reported Burn Injuries

By

Keurig-Coffeemaker

Gloomy news for coffee enthusiasts!

Keurig Green Mountain recalled around 6.6 million MINI Plus Brewing Systems in the United States and 564,000 in Canada emulating burn reports, as indicated by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The model number is K10 and recalled brewers have an ID number beginning with “31,” as indicated by the safety commission on Tuesday.

The commission reports, “They are single-serve, hot drink brewers and were sold in 13 separate colors,” the commission reports.

What’s the reason? There were around 200 reports of hot water coming out of the brewer made by the Waterbury, Vt. Inc, including 90 reports of burn injuries.

The machines were sold from December 2009 through December 2014 at a price of about $100.

Clients are told to contact Keurig for a free repair of their machine.

A partial solar eclipse in Canada; The sun will look like a finger nail.

By

partial-solar-eclipse

On Thursday, there will be a partial solar eclipse in Canada. Due to this lunar Eclipse, the sun will look like a fingernail, as it sets in the west for most of the country and Canada.

According to NASA’s statement:

“The show will reach its height at 5:45 p.m. ET, meaning the Eastern half of the country should get a view before the backdrop of golden twilight hues. People living in the Central Time zone will have the best view. New England and Hawaii will unfortunately miss out on this one.”

Moreover it has also been told that the eclipse will stay for around more than two hours.

Furthermore NASA warns the public to protect their eyes. Explaining the matter, NASA told that: “Overlapping leaves create a myriad of natural little pinhole cameras, each one casting an image of the crescent-sun onto the ground beneath the canopy. Don’t stare directly. Even at maximum eclipse, a sliver of sun peeking out from behind the Moon can still cause pain and eye damage. Direct viewing should only be attempted with the aid of a safe solar filter. There are some old tricks to viewing indirectly, like punching a hole in cardboard and projecting the light seeping through it onto a surface away from the sun. Or let a tree do the work for you.”

Additionally NASA also reported that the next solar eclipse will occur after almost three years and that eclipse will be more dramatic and erratic total eclipse.

Categories