Category: Ecology

Wild Fisheries

Wild Fisheries

Wild Fisheries

11/07/24

“How can we have fisheries in open waters?”

Fish is a popular protein source for people. This is obtained through fishing. Open waters that provide fish for fishing are known as Wild Fisheries.

The Pantanal

The Pantanal

The Pantanal

11/05/24

“What is the world’s largest tropical wetland area and why is it so special?”

Wetlands exist all over the world. But there’s one that’s very special. The Pantanal, the largest tropical wetland in the world, is nestled on the western border of Brazil with Bolivia (small portions of the wetland are in Bolivia and Paraguay). 80 percent of the wetlands are submerged during the rainy season. The Pantanal is incredibly diverse, containing over 2,000 different plant species and 10,000 animals species.

Image credit https://familytripmagazine.com/

Environmental Impact Assessments

Environmental Impact Assessments

Environmental Impact Assessments

11/04/24

“How can we evaluate the environmental impacts of projects?”

Governments and institutions carry out construction projects. These are bound to have environmental impacts. The scale of these impacts can be measured through Environmental Impact Assessments, where professionals review the impacts of all possible projects compared to doing nothing at all.

Why Recently Restored Wetlands Do Not Offer as Much Ecosystem Services as Older Wetlands

Why Recently Restored Wetlands Do Not Offer as Much Ecosystem Services as Older Wetlands

Why Recently Restored Wetlands Do Not Offer as Much Ecosystem Services as Older Wetlands

11/02/24

“Why don’t recently restored wetlands offer as much ecosystem services as older wetlands?”

Restoring wetlands helps environments recover from the ravages of industrialization. However, these zones are less ecologically developed than older wetlands given that the latter have been operating continuously for upwards of millions of years. This is Why Recently Restored Wetlands Do Not Offer as Much Ecosystem Services as Older Wetlands.

Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession

11/01/24

“What governs how a species changes after a large change in their environment?”

Species adapt to environmental changes. When there is a large change in the environment, there will be a series of changes in the species organization called Ecological Succession.

Ecotones

Ecotones

Ecotones

10/31/24

“What is the transition zone between two ecological communities?”

There are different ecosystem types all over the world, from forests to grasslands to tundras. But how does one ecosystem type transition from one to another? Well, there might be a transition called an Ecotone. Ecotones can be either sudden or gradual.

Coastal Plain Estuaries

Coastal Plain Estuaries

Coastal Plain Estuaries

10/30/24

“How are coastal plain estuaries formed?”

Coastal river valleys connect rivers to the ocean. These valleys become submerged and become Coastal Plain Estuaries when the sea level rises. These estuaries are typically wedge-shaped with a narrow inlet to the ocean.

Estuaries

Estuaries

Estuaries

10/29/24

“What are Estuaries?”

Water shapes land masses in all types of ways. Sometimes a partially enclosed body of water by the ocean mixes salt water with freshwater from rivers and streams. This forms something called an Estuary, which are some of the most peculiar spaces of brackish water.

How to Daylight a Stream

How to Daylight a Stream

How to Daylight a Stream

10/28/24

“How do we restore a buried stream?”

People bury streams for a variety of reasons. This can cause flooding issues and habitat destruction. Later, people may want to restore the stream. Restoring, or daylighting a stream can be accomplished by removing artificial impediments like pavements and culverts, recreating the former ecosystem, and applying maintenance techniques. This is How to Daylight a Stream.