31/07/2020

Archive

Marine week – litter HUGE problem!

Marine litter is a pervasive problem up and down the country, with seemingly endless amounts of plastic found on our beaches. During Beach Clean events in 2019, Sussex Wildlife Trust and our amazing volunteers collected 360 kg of litter from 10 different sites. This equated to 18,993 individual pieces of litter, and the majority of this was plastic. In 2018, UN Environment estimated that globally, 13 million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans every single year. This is a huge...

Tiger, tiger!

All species of tigers are listed in CITES Appendix I, but this elegant predator is still under threat from poaching and habitat encroachment. We must all remain vigilant to conserve our big cats The International Tiger Day is celebrated annually on July 29 to spread awareness about these majestic creatures. Tigers have lost 90% of their natural habitat and the world population is less than 4000. Read more at:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/77232966.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst Groups working for tigers CITES – https://www.cites.org WWF – World Fund for...

Tiny, deadly! Micro plastics a very real problem!

Happy Plastic Free July! Over the past few years, marine debris, in particular larger plastic items like water bottles and straws, has received a great deal of attention, and with the help of people like you, more and more people know it is a problem! AUSMAP and many other scientists, however, see the microplastics (plastics < 5mm) as a potentially greater danger, even calling for them to be listed as a hazardous substance. Of the close to 300 recognised impacts to wildlife from marine...

Sharks ‘functionally extinct’ !

Worldwide study finds Australia among nations with highest shark numbers, but 34 out of 58 nations have half what was expected ( according to The Guardian) More at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/23/sharks-functionally-extinct-at-20-of-worlds-coral-reefs-as-fishing-drives-global-decline Sharks are missing from 19% of the world’s coral reefs, the greatest decline of reef sharks ever recorded, according to a new analysis. The study suggests overfishing, driven largely by dense human populations and poor governance, has made the ocean’s top predators “functionally extinct” in the waters of eight countries. But...

World mangroves day

Mangroves are rare, spectacular and prolific ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea. These extra ordinary ecosystems contribute to the wellbeing, food security, and protection of coastal communities worldwide. They support a rich biodiversity and provide a valuable nursery habitat for fish and crustaceans. Mangroves also act as a form of natural coastal defense against storm surges, tsunamis, rising sea levels and erosion. Their soils are highly effective carbon sinks, sequestering vast amounts of carbon. Yet mangroves are disappearing...

IUCN launches new standards

Most engineering projects, manufacturing industries, retail operations – in fact, almost every business activity on earth – have agreed standards that underpin the safety and efficiency of those activities. To date, that has certainly not been the case for nature-based solutions – the implications of which are perhaps even more significant given how critical our ecosystems are to the survival of all life on earth. Setting the standard Nature-based solutions (NbS) are a powerful ally to address societal challenges such...

Beat COV19 blues – hug a tree!

Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority is encouraging people to hug a tree to overcome feelings of isolation. After flattening a coronavirus infection curve in May, Israel has experienced a spike in cases over the past few weeks. Can’t embrace friends and family these days? Hug a tree instead. That is the message Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority is spreading on social media to try to help people overcome the sense of detachment that coronavirus social-distancing rules can bring. “The most...

Bushfire devastation – 50 Australian species threatened

early 50 Australian native species not currently listed as threatened could be at risk as a result of the continent’s devastating bushfire season, according to a study drawing on the work of more than 20 leading scientists. The researchers identified 70 animals that had much of their habitat affected by bushfire, including 49 that were not currently protected under national environment laws but should be urgently assessed. If all were found to be at risk it would increase the number of...

All about moths!

It’s #NationalMothWeek – highlighting the importance of these beautiful and unique creatures Moths are often unfairly thought of as butterflies’ drab cousins. But there are lots of wonderfully colourful species and plenty with dramatic patterns, including in the UK. Whether you are a seasoned moth-spotter or you’re winging it for the first time, here is a guide to nine vibrant, distinctive British moths to look out for on a summer walk. Moths and butterflies are closely related insects in the...

Amazing Snakes

Around the world, snake populations are in decline because of habitat destruction, disease, over-harvesting, invasive species, and even climate change. These combined threats have brought some snake species ever closer to the brink of extinction. ( source: https://savethesnakes.org/threats/ )...