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Category: Nature and Biodiversity

The Positive Impact of Traditional Farming on Plant Diversity

Have you ever wondered about the hidden forces that watch over the colorful plants around us? Or thought about how our nature has changed over centuries? Researchers from the University of York have found out how humans have affected biodiversity.

Our main researcher in this story is Jonathan Gordon, a postdoctoral fellow at the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity at the University of York. Gordon, along with experts from the Department of Archaeology and the Department of Mathematics, used a special tool – pollen – to explore the past.

The team used pollen data from around the world to study plant communities from 12,000 years ago, at the start of the Holocene era. From the beginning of the Holocene until the Industrial Revolution, pollen records show an interesting pattern – plant communities changed more and became more varied as humans used more land.

Humans have been a big driver of changes in plants, sometimes even boosting biodiversity. But these changes were different depending on the location. In many parts of the northern hemisphere, plant communities became more diverse as humans shaped the land.

In Africa, South America, and some parts of North America, however, more human land use led to a decrease in plant diversity. Gordon says that over long periods, humans often surprisingly had positive effects on local and regional plant biodiversity.

The study suggests that traditional farming and forestry practices, mixed with local plant communities, increased diversity in many Northern Hemisphere areas. Forests were cleared for pastures, crops, and settlements, creating diverse habitats for plants that love sunlight.

Interestingly, our interactions with nature have increased diversity, challenging the common idea that human activity always harms nature. Professor Chris Thomas said, “The usual belief when dealing with biodiversity issues is that human influence should be removed for the environment to thrive naturally.”

“In many places, biodiversity thrives because of thousands of years of human activities, and in others, it suffers. It’s important to know these differences to create good conservation policies.” “In Europe, for example, this work shows that low-intensity, traditional farming over many millennia increased biodiversity levels.”

July 16, 2024
Socotra: A Unique Island with Strange Trees and Animals

The trees in Socotra look like the umbrellas of giant frogs. The animals here are considered as quite strange. The plants and environment are unlike anywhere else in the world. You will feel like another planet or a different world altogether.

You might think aliens live here. This place is called Socotra. Deep Socotra rises on the shores of the Arabian Sea off Yemen. Long ago, Arab sailors lived here. Ships from Socotra used to travel around the world to supply sugar. The trees that look like frog umbrellas have a sticky substance like blood in them. This is used in ointments, medicines, and lipsticks. These trees can grow up to 32 feet tall. Socotra is also home to many colorful flowers.

Socotra is special not only because of its trees but also its animals. Strange birds, legless lizards, reptiles, and other unique animals live here. Out of 31 species of animals in Socotra, 29 are found nowhere else in the world.

About 50,000 people live in Socotra. They earn their living by fishing, growing palms, and raising animals. They have their own language and culture, which is slowly disappearing. Before there was an airport, ships were the only way to reach Socotra.

There are a few guest houses for tourists, but no high-quality hotels. Public transport is limited, so you need to explore the island on foot. The best time to visit is from October to April. Unfortunately, deforestation and climate change are starting to harm this unique place.

July 16, 2024
Exploring the Event Horizon: What Happens When Stars Die?

There are things about black holes that really spark our imaginations. Maybe it’s because a star has to die to create a black hole! What goes into a black hole can never come back out. At its center is something called “non-existence,” which is the most mysterious thing in the universe.

In fact, time and space don’t work the way we think they do inside a black hole. Whatever the reason for this is, it’s quite a mystery. Albert Einstein explained the motion of the universe with his theories.

Einstein didn’t think about black holes in the way we do now. The gravity inside a black hole is so strong that anything, even light, once it goes in, can’t come back out. Einstein couldn’t accept that black holes existed.

Later scientists found out that black holes not only could exist but were actually inevitable. Black holes form when stars 30 times bigger than the Sun die. The star explodes and creates a black hole. This process of creating black holes is common and happens all the time. There is another type of black hole called a supermassive black hole. Every galaxy is believed to have a supermassive black hole.

Stars that make black holes can be much bigger than the Sun. The “point of no return” is called the event horizon. It marks the boundary of the black hole, separating its inside from the outside. Once something enters the event horizon, it can’t go back. It completely breaks apart, and we don’t know what happens to it next. We still have many limitations when it comes to understanding this universe.

July 16, 2024
Wildfires Threaten the Recovery of the Ozone Layer

The ozone layer, which protects us from the sun’s harmful rays, has been healing over the past few decades for the international efforts like the Montreal Protocol. A new challenge has emerged: wildfires. Recent research has found that large wildfires can impact the ozone layer in unexpected ways. This discovery highlights how natural events can affect our atmosphere.

Scientists studied how wildfires affect the ozone layer by looking at a smoke-charged vortex (SCV). This is a powerful, smoke-filled whirlpool created by wildfires, which pulls smoke high into the atmosphere, up to 35 kilometers.

This was observed during the 2019/20 Australian wildfires, which caused a significant increase in particles in the stratosphere.

“Using satellite data and computer models, we examined how the smoke from the 2019-2020 Australian wildfires reached the stratosphere and affected the amount of particles and chemicals there, focusing on SCVs that were not well-studied before,” said the researchers.

Hang Su, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, explained the effects of the smoke-charged vortex. “This process led to at least a doubling of the particles in the southern hemisphere’s middle stratosphere. These particles caused chemical reactions that affected ozone levels,” noted Professor Su.

The wildfire particles have a mixed effect on the ozone layer. While they increased ozone depletion in the lower stratosphere, they also helped increase ozone in the middle stratosphere. Professor Yafang Cheng from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry explained the broader impact.

“Our study shows how particles in wildfire smoke can create large smoke-filled vortices that change the circulation in the stratosphere,” said Professor Cheng. Dr. Chaoqun Ma, a postdoctoral researcher at the MPIC, found the study fascinating. “I love this study because it shows how connected different parts of the Earth system are,” said Dr. Ma. “

July 15, 2024
The longest sea beach’s Red Crabs: A Natural Wonder Under Threat

Cox’s Bazar has the longest attractive sea beach in the world. The unique red crabs here fascinate tourists all the time. A few years ago, many red crabs could be seen at Sugandha, Kalatali, and Lavanya points in Cox’s Bazar. This attracted both local and foreign tourists.

Less rainfall and higher temperatures are making things worse for the red crabs. Illegal fishing on the coast of Cox’s Bazar is another big threat to them, especially with the use of prohibited nets. If the population remains low but the natural environment improves, the red crabs can still breed well. Several programs are being implemented to protect biodiversity and help these crabs thrive.

The red crab is known as the silent watchman of nature. It eats dead plants and animal parts, adding nutrients to the soil and maintaining the nutrient cycle. It also helps increase soil aeration, playing an important role in protecting coastal forests.

However, horse riding on the beach is destroying the crabs’ nests and affecting their reproduction process. Ocean pollution is one of the main enemies of red crabs in Cox’s Bazar. The polluted water has had a huge negative impact on the lives of these crabs. Climate change is also a threat to their existence. Recently, the temperature in Cox’s Bazar has increased due to reduced rainfall.

July 15, 2024
Isle of Wight Reveals UK’s Most Complete Dinosaur Fossil Since 1923

A new dinosaur species, Comptonatus chasei, has been discovered on the Isle of Wight. This find is a major step in understanding the variety of dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period in England. Ongoing research suggests there might be even more significant discoveries ahead.

Jeremy Lockwood, a retired doctor and PhD student at the University of Portsmouth, helped dig up the dinosaur and spent years studying its 149 bones. He found out that it was a new type of dinosaur, which he named Comptonatus chasei to honor Nick.

Jeremy said, “Nick had an amazing talent for finding dinosaur bones, like a modern-day Mary Anning. He collected fossils every day, no matter the weather, and gave them to museums. I was hoping we’d collect fossils together in our old age, but sadly that didn’t happen. Jeremy’s research showed it was different. This is the second new dinosaur Jeremy has described.

He said, “I found this dinosaur is different because of unique features in its skull, teeth, and other body parts. For example, its lower jaw is straight, unlike most others that curve down. It also has a very large hip bone, much bigger than similar dinosaurs. It’s like a dinner plate!”

Jeremy isn’t sure why the hip bone is so big. It might be for muscle attachment, different movement, supporting the stomach, or even helping the dinosaur breathe, but these are just guesses.

He named the dinosaur Comptonatus after Compton Bay where it was found. “Tonatus” means “thunderous” in Latin.

“This dinosaur weighed about a ton, like a large bison. Fossil footprints nearby suggest it was a herding animal, possibly moving in large groups if scared by predators 120 million years ago.”

Dr. Susannah Maidment, a Senior Researcher at the Natural History Museum, said, “Comptonatus is an amazing dinosaur find, the most complete in the UK in a century. Thanks to detailed work by Dr. Jeremy Lockwood, we now know that the variety of dinosaurs in southern England during the Early Cretaceous was much greater than we thought.”

The specimen is younger than Brighstoneus but older than Mantellisaurus, showing rapid evolution in iguanodontian dinosaurs during this period. It could help us understand how ecosystems recovered after an extinction event at the end of the Jurassic Period.

Dr. Martin Munt, curator of Dinosaur Isle, said, “Ongoing research on the museum collection continues to reveal exciting new discoveries. Most of Nick’s important finds have stayed on the Island, a lasting legacy. We look forward to discovering more new prehistoric creatures from the Island’s cliffs and collection.”

Nick Chase’s remarkable find and Jeremy Lockwood’s dedicated research show the incredible history waiting to be discovered here. We are thrilled to be part of this ongoing journey of discovery and scientific advancement.”

July 15, 2024
How Human Activity is Heating Up Our Lakes?

As you enjoy a peaceful picnic by a lake, it’s alarming to know that these calm waters are in serious danger. Lakes all over the world are getting warmer at an unprecedented rate. A recent study meticulously outlines the scientific details behind this concern. This research is a collaborative effort by limnologists and climate modelers from various backgrounds.

The lead scientist, Dr. Lei Huang, gained postdoctoral research experience at the IBS Center for Climate Physics in Busan, South Korea, and now works at Capital Normal University in Beijing, China. The findings of the team are indeed sobering. If the current rate of human-caused warming continues until 2100, the surface and subsurface waters of our cherished lakes will heat up at a rate never seen before.

Imagine a future where the conditions that supported rich biodiversity and vital ecological services in lakes could vanish. The team made this prediction using an advanced climate computer model called the Community Earth System Model (version 2), covering the period from 1850-2100 CE.

This model is innovative because it integrates the dynamics of lake systems with the atmosphere seamlessly. Ever wondered how scientists predict future climate? Instead of running the computer model into the future only once, the scientists used an ensemble of 100 past-to-future simulations.

While surface warming affects creatures in the shallower parts, some organisms can move to cooler depths. Therefore, it’s not just the surface, but also how the warming seeps into the subsurface layers that need significant attention. Dr. Iestyn Woolway, a NERC Independent Research Fellow at Bangor University, UK, and a corresponding author of the study, emphasizes this crucial aspect.

According to Dr. Woolway, the subsurface layers of tropical lakes, which house rich biodiversity, will be the first to face these unprecedented conditions when global warming reaches about 2.4°C (36.32°F) above pre-industrial levels.

“Our study reveals synchronous emergence of no-analog conditions in tropical lake subsurface layers, driven by rapid downward transmission of warming signals during frequent lake mixing events,” said Dr. Woolway. “In contrast, high-latitude lakes partly shield subsurface layers from surface warming through stratification, delaying or sometimes even preventing no-analog climates at depths.”

July 14, 2024
The Astounding Jumping Abilities of Water Striders!

Water striders are fascinating insects that live on the surface of water. They have long legs, ranging from a few to over 100 millimeters, which allow them to stay afloat without sinking. These legs create dimples on the water’s surface, and heavier water striders create deeper dimples that generate a stronger upward force, supporting their bodies.

When water striders need to escape from predators lurking beneath the water, they perform an incredible feat—they jump upward at an astonishing speed of over 1 meter per second within just 10 to 20 milliseconds. They achieve this without breaking the water surface, thanks to their unique leg movement. The water striders move their legs rapidly downward against the water surface, creating mini trampolines with the deep dimples. This action propels them upwards swiftly.

Until recently, scientists believed that all water striders jumped in this manner. However, recent research focused on the world’s largest water strider, Gigantometra gigas, and other large water striders weighing about 80 milligrams or more, has revealed a different jumping mechanism. This giant water strider breaks the water surface when its legs push downward during a jump. Surprisingly, this unique behavior allows them to achieve the same impressive speed as their smaller counterparts.

The research team filmed high-speed videos of the giant water striders in their natural habitats and transparent water containers to understand this mechanism. They found that when the legs penetrate the water surface, they create a layer of air around them due to the presence of long hairs on the legs. As the legs move through the water, they experience a resistive force called drag, similar to how an oar propels a boat. This force pushes the giant water striders upward during the second phase of their jump.

The researchers developed a mathematical model to understand this behavior better. They discovered that the giant water striders’ weight is a key factor; they are too heavy for the usual non-breaking water surface mechanism to work effectively. By breaking the water surface and utilizing the drag force, these large water striders can achieve the necessary speed to escape from predators.

This discovery highlights that water striders of different sizes employ distinct jumping mechanisms. It is intriguing because closely related species can use different physical mechanisms based on their size, even though they perform the same behavior to evade predators.

July 14, 2024
Giant Swamp Creature Found in Namibia Was an Ambush Predator

After three years of research, an international team has discovered a fossilized giant basal tetrapod in the dry arena of Namibia. Basal tetrapods are ancient four-legged vertebrates that lived during the period when life was transitioning from water to land.

This enormous three-meter-long skeleton that discovered in the Ugab River valley is the largest of its kind ever found. It challenges the long-held belief that these early vertebrates only existed in the northern hemisphere. The find offers vital insights into the early evolution of land animals highlighting the significant role southern continents played and suggesting they should be a focal point for future research.

Study co-author Roger Smith, a distinguished professor at the Evolutionary Studies Institute at Wits University and emeritus research associate at Iziko Museums, Cape Town, explained, “The nearly complete skeleton was preserved in mudstone from an ancient freshwater lake. As the soft tissue decomposed, gases formed that caused calcium carbonate to crystallize around the bones creating a hard crust that protected them from being crushed as they were buried deeper.”

Mr. Sibusiso Mtungata is a skilled fossil technician from the Iziko Museum and he recalls the thrilling moment of discovery. “We had found isolated vertebrae of something big and so we were looking for a more complete skeleton,” said Mtungata.

“I came across two round cylinders of rock with bone in the middle which fitted together and then a third. I called Roger over to help me find more, and as we walked upslope; he spotted a large flat rock which he recognized as the head.” “When we looked along the edge and saw rows of teeth, we knew we had finally found what we had been searching for; a nearly complete skull and skeleton!”

July 13, 2024
Closest Massive Black Hole to Earth Discovered in Omega Centauri*

Omega Centauri is a celestial marvel that dazzles as a colossal assembly of 10 million stars and it appearing as a fuzzy spot in the night sky from our Southern hemispheres. With a modest telescope, it doesn’t seem much different from other globular clusters. However, this ordinary view belies an extraordinary discovery.

Anil Seth from the University of Utah and Nadine Neumayer from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy have discovered a cosmic mystery that has puzzled astronomers for ages. In an astonishing breakthrough, these experts have uncovered an almost elusive intermediate-mass black hole in Omega Centauri.

“This is a once-in-a-career kind of finding,” exclaimed Seth. “I’ve been thrilled about it for nine straight months. Every time I think about it, I can barely sleep. Extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence and this is truly extraordinary.”

Astronomers have long speculated about an unseen mass at Omega Centauri’s core inferred from the varied movements of stars within the cluster. Yet, distinguishing whether these were due to an intermediate-mass black hole or a collection of stellar black holes was a persistent challenge.

This black hole evading detection until now has remained an enigma. After months of meticulous analysis of stellar motion, the researchers finally identified “high-speed stars,” confirming the intermediate-mass black hole’s presence.

Neumayer remarked that this black hole is the closest massive one known that located about 18,000 light-years from Earth whereas our Milky Way’s supermassive black hole is about 27,000 light-years away.

Black holes are very diverse. According to study co-author Matthew Whittaker they can be compared to Earth’s creatures. Stellar black holes are like ants and spiders that is common yet hard to see. Supermassive black holes are easily noticeable and immensely powerful. The elusive intermediate-mass black hole is akin to Bigfoot—rarely spotted and highly sought after.

To get the Omega Centauri’s formation history, Seth and Neumayer initiated a project to search for fast-moving stars, a “proverbial smoking gun” that would reveal the black hole’s mass. This difficult task was led by Maximilian Häberle who is a doctoral student at the Max Planck Institute and he described it as searching for a needle in a haystack.

July 13, 2024