Search our collection of background (non-event) articles from news media, science journals and other sources.
Since 1976, the distribution of molting Black Brant ( Branta bernicla nigricans ) on the Arctic Coastal Plain has shifted from inland freshwater lakes to coastal marshes, such as those occupying the Smith River and Garry Creek estuaries.
The majestic birds of the far north are traveling as far south as Bermuda.
Tar ball deposition on Goa's beaches affecting marine life, says NIO study on Business Standard. To carry out study the NIO also collected samples from Baga, Candolim, Calungute and Mandrem beaches from North Goa and Velsao, Betalbatim, Colva and Benaulim from South Goa.
Our results showed that local fisheries have negatively impacted the marine biodiversity of the ecosystem causing sharp declines of common dolphins and major fish stocks and weakening the robustness of the marine food web.
All persons practicing veterinary medicine in North Carolina shall report these listed diseases and conditions to the State Veterinarian's office by telephone within two hours after the disease is reasonably suspected to exist.
Phytoplankton blooms are increasingly conspicuous along the world's coastlines, and the toxic effects of these blooms have become a major concern. Nutrient enrichment often causes phytoplankton blooms, which decrease water transparency, but little is known about the effects of such light regime changes on whole communities of the continental shelf. A series of simulations designed to evaluate the potential effects of shading by phytoplankton blooms on community organization were conducted using a balanced trophic model of the West Florida Shelf ecosystem and the Ecopath with Ecosim modeling approach. Many functional groups in the system were predicted to decline as benthic primary production was inhibited through shading by phytoplankton, especially when associated biogenic habitat was lost. Groups that obtain most of their energy from planktonic pathways increased when shading impact and associated structural habitat degradation were complemented by enhanced phytoplankton production. Groups predicted to decline as the result of shading by plankton blooms include seabirds, manatees, and a variety of demersal and benthic fishes and invertebrates. Some counterintuitive predictions of declines (mackerel, seabirds, and surface pelagics) resulted because these groups are somewhat dependent on benthic primary production. The overall effect of the simulated bloom-associated shading of benthic primary producers resembled a trophic cascade where the number of full cycles of biomass gains and losses was approximately equal to the number of trophic levels in the system (4.7). (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
A team of researchers has found that black-browed albatrosses living on the Falkland Islands see rising divorce rates during times when the sea surface temperatures rise. They point out that hunger could lead to one or the other partner abandoning an egg or hatchling—events that could lead to one of the birds ditching the other.
A mysterious illness that has been killing songbirds in mid-Atlantic states may have moved into North Carolina, according the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. The disease — which cause the eyes of birds to crust over — has been expanding its reach since being reported four months ago in Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C.
The article reports on a successful emergency response drill in Chukotka, Russia, where a simulated bird flu outbreak was contained.
Landmark report says invasive species are major threat to biodiversity and dealing with them requires global cooperation
There were no bugs buzzing around the lights in the parking lot.
“Our past research in western Alaska has shown that while we have not detected the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, up to 70 per cent of the other avian influenza viruses isolated in this area were found to contain genetic material from Eurasia, providing evidence for high levels of intercontinental viral exchange,” said Andy Ramey, a scientist with the USGS and lead author of the recent report. “This is because Asian and North American migratory flyways overlap in western Alaska.”
As cases of avian flu continue to spread across Canada, B.C. poultry farmers are implementing quarantine measures from the highly infectious virus that can cause mass death in chicken flocks.
Fair organizers say they’re concerned about the spread of bird flu.
The swallow that makes the biggest dent in insect populations in these parts is the cliff swallow. These birds can nest in colonies of several thousand given the right conditions. The largest group of swallows Im personally aware of is on the middle Porcupine River, where the cliffs of impressive Howling Dog Canyon host at least 4,000 swallows.
Avian flu and avian pox are causing serious ailments and mortality in bird populations, with the viruses being transmitted through direct contact, ingestion, and inhalation, while pesticides and toxic run-off from mining activities also contribute to avian disability and mortality.
Two men in Montana have been indicted for killing approximately 3,600 birds, including protected bald and golden eagles, to sell their parts on the black market.
Rising temperatures and dwindling oxygen levels are decimating marine species. But humanity can avert mass die-offs by curbing fossil fuel use and other planet-warming activities.
When it comes to avian influenza, more commonly known as bird flu, all birds are not created equal.
Unusually high numbers of the chunky little finches in Southcentral are prompting surprising questions from bird lovers.
All Topics
All Countries
Any Date
Apply