Green PRAXIS’ Post

Kudos to our team of zoological detectives!👏👏 Our scientists have been cracking the genetic code 🧬 and modeling the perfect habitat to help save endangered newts 🦎in #luxembourg🇱🇺! Newts are small semi-aquatic amphibians that look like a cross between a frog 🐸and a lizard. Newts 🦎are members of the salamander family (Salamandridae). Crested newts (Triturus cristatus) are a #protected species in #luxembourg🇱🇺, facing threats like habitat loss and pollution. Our researchers studied the newts' genetics 🧬and habitat preferences to identify the best areas for creating new ponds and restoring existing ones. This will help connect isolated newts🦎populations and improve their chances of survival. Read the whole study here: https://lnkd.in/e9bjkCfZ Special thanks to Anna Schleimer for creating this interactive conservation planning map: https://lnkd.in/efqkYmUY This study was funded by the Ministère de l'Environnement, du Climat et de la Biodiversité, Luxembourg and in collaboration with Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) #science #conservation #newts #Luxembourg

🔍 Science Saturday Spotlight: Exploring Hypersaline Lakes and Aquatic Biodiversity Dr Nicole White and Dr Mattia Saccò from Curtin University joined by researchers from the University of Turin using the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre, explored the world of hypersaline lakes in their recent study published in the Journal of Oceanology and Limnology and shed light on the unique biodiversity of these unique ecosystems. Saline and hypersaline lakes host unique biodiversity, but they are increasingly being overexploited due to the presence of precious resources (e.g., lithium) driving the current green revolution. Researching their ecological significance is crucial since unchecked human use causes lasting damage and ultimately threatens the long-term conservation of these important environments. The study examines biomonitoring approaches employing macroinvertebrates as bioindicators for ecological insights. Traditional monitoring is costly and taxonomic-intensive. The researchers effectively used DNA metabarcoding to improve community assemblage evaluation and augment established techniques. Insights from Rottnest Island: Focusing on five hypersaline lakes at Rottnest Island, the team collected water and net samples, identifying macroinvertebrates using a combination of traditional taxonomy and DNA metabarcoding. The results revealed a fascinating array of species, showcasing the potential of molecular tools in ecological studies. Aquatic Invertebrates as Indicators: The study underscores the importance of aquatic invertebrates in wetlands, acting as crucial indicators for ecosystem health. Brine shrimps, particularly Artemia species, dominated the lakes, emphasizing their ecological significance in the context of saline/hypersaline lakes. The research also highlights the need for in-depth molecular studies to confirm species and address ecological nuances. Challenges and Advances in eDNA Analysis: Overcoming challenges posed by high salt concentrations and UV radiation in saline waters, the study discusses advances in eDNA analysis. The combination of conventional methods and molecular tools proves promising, offering a cost-effective and insightful approach for better ecological assessments in hypersaline lakes. This study unravels the mysteries of hypersaline ecosystems and also underscores the importance of adopting innovative techniques to understand and conserve these unique environments. Read the full paper: https://bit.ly/3HUcVih 🌊🔬 #ScienceSaturday #Ecology #BiodiversityResearch #NCRISimpact

Calling University of Oxford students! Get involved with the iNaturalist Project to collect biodiversity data on the University’s estates.     Since its initiation, over 600 species have been recorded in varied places such as Harcourt Arboretum, University Parks, Botanic Garden and even in a faculty’s backyard. These recordings were done using the iNaturalist platform (website or phone app). The identification of the species is done based on AI and a community of professionals confirm the identification before it is added to the scientific record.      🍂 Take a photo of interesting plants, birds, wildlife or insects that you come across and share your observations. 🍂 You can identify the species yourself or ask the platform to suggest identification.   🍂 Discuss findings with fellow naturalists. 🍂 Contribute to creating useful biodiversity data.   There are over 1,500 observations already made in the University of Oxford iNaturalist project by students and staff.     Find out more > https://lnkd.in/eUSDr75W #biodiversity #datacollection #habitat #ecology

A study on arthropod biodiversity in Los Angeles reveals surprising impacts of human activity. Research conducted by USC Dornsife and Natural History Museum through the BioSCAN project. Results show diverse responses of arthropods to environmental factors like land cover and temperature fluctuations. Increased concrete and asphalt affect insect populations differently, while spiders thrive in urban areas. Study identifies over 50 new arthropod species, reshaping understanding of L.A.'s insect biodiversity. Findings suggest prioritizing green spaces and reducing pesticide use to support arthropod diversity. Research offers insights applicable to urban planning in similar communities. Follow The Lifesciences Magazine For More. #ArthropodBiodiversity #UrbanEcology #BioSCAN #USCDornsife #NHMLA #LosAngeles #EnvironmentalImpact #InsectPopulations #UrbanWildlife #GreenSpaces #PesticideReduction

Fascinating Biodiversity Insight: The Turtle-Tortoise Classification As a testament to nature's complexity, here's an interesting taxonomic relationship: while all tortoises are technically turtles, not all turtles are tortoises. This exemplifies the importance of precise classification in biological sciences. Key distinctions: Turtles (Order: Testudines): Umbrella term for 300+ species of shelled reptiles Anatomical integration: Their shells are part of their skeletal structure Habitat adaptation: From deserts to oceans, showing remarkable evolutionary diversity Survival timespan: 200+ million years of evolutionary success Conservation note: Both land and marine species are currently endangered, highlighting the urgent need for environmental protection measures. #Biodiversity #Conservation #Biology #Science #Environment"

Resurrecting the Past: Could Scientists Bring Back the Dodo? What if extinct species like the dodo could walk the Earth again? Science is closer than ever! Imagine a world where long-lost creatures like the dodo, woolly mammoth, and Tasmanian tiger are brought back to life. Colossal Biosciences is leading groundbreaking de-extinction projects to restore these iconic species. By reviving core phenotypes and reintroducing them to their habitats, scientists aim to repair ecosystems and unlock the mysteries of evolution. But how close are we to seeing the dodo waddle again? And what challenges do scientists face? Explore the fascinating world of de-extinction and the future of wildlife conservation. 🌍🦤 💢 Colossal Biosciences’ Vision: Bringing back extinct species to restore balance in ecosystems.  💢 The Role of DNA: Leveraging preserved DNA to recreate core traits of the dodo, mammoth, and thylacine.  💢 Ecological Benefits: Reviving these species can restore missing interactions in natural habitats. 💢 Scientific Challenges: Ethical dilemmas, technical limitations, and the complexity of recreating entire species. 💢 Future Implications: How de-extinction could redefine conservation and biodiversity strategies. Follow: Researchers Life Video credit: VC goes to respective owner, dm for credit or removal. #Dodo #Extinction #ColossalBiosciences #DeExtinction #WoollyMammoth #TasmanianTiger #Thylacine #Phenotypes #ScienceInnovation #Biodiversity #FutureOfConservation

🌊💡 Exploring the Impact of eDNA Research on Eutrophication and Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) 🧬👀 The global challenge of lakes and coastal oceans facing eutrophication due to nutrient excess demands innovative solutions. 🌍 #eDNA research emerges as a beacon of hope in addressing this worldwide problem. 🚀 It is crucial to unravel the transformative potential of #eDNA analysis that can effectively assess the impacts of human activities on our aquatic environments.  🧬 #eDNA holds the key to revolutionizing biodiversity monitoring and species community surveys. With its rapid and detailed insights, it becomes a powerful ally in detecting environmental changes influenced by factors like temperature, pH, and seasonal shifts. 📈 Join us on this journey of scientific exploration, where #eDNA contributes to comprehensive data for effective environmental conservation! 🌿👥  #EnvironmentalScience #Research #ScientificDiscovery #Ecology #ClimateChange #Science #LakeErie Give it a read 👉 https://bit.ly/3HiBNjw 📸 Photo Credit: @NASAEarth

What lives in ponds? Detecting amphibians by their DNA: 79% of amphibian species are on the Red List of threatened species in Switzerland. How can we better understand them to improve conservation? An ETH-WSL joint research team developed DNA detectors to rapidly identify amphibian species in pond water samples. They tested their method successfully in Aargau. Amphibians are among the most threatened taxonomic group in Switzerland. Of the 19 Swiss species evaluated in 2023, 15 are on the Red List from the Federal Office for the Environment. To better protect animals at risk and maintain biodiversity, it is essential to monitor how their population and distribution changes overtime. Flurin Leugger, a PhD student, and his colleagues from the joint ETH-WSL Ecosystems and Landscape Evolution research group, identified the need for improved methods in biodiversity monitoring. In an article published last month in Molecular Ecology Resources, the team present a new technique they have developed for amphibian monitoring. To test this new approach, they applied it to nine ponds in the canton of Aargau. More: https://lnkd.in/dMqCtcdC News auf Deutsch: Was lebt im Teich? Amphibien an ihrem Erbgut entdecken https://lnkd.in/dfJvFJ-e 📷 The alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) classified as “least concerned”, and eDNA methods are particularly efficient for detecting them. (Photo: Thomas Reich) #amphibians #redlist #ponds #monitoring #eDNA #Crispr #metabarcoding #Amphibien #RoteListe #Teiche Flurin Leugger Michel Schmidlin Martina Lüthi Zacharias Kontarakis Loïc Pellissier Department of Environmental Systems Science (D-USYS), ETH Zürich

🌿 Unlocking the Potential of eDNA for Tropical Biodiversity Conservation 🌿 Environmental DNA (eDNA) is emerging as a powerful, non-invasive tool for biodiversity monitoring and conservation research, particularly in the tropics. With recent advancements in portable technology and molecular genetics, eDNA methods are becoming more accessible and effective, enabling researchers to conduct comprehensive surveys of both macro- and micro-organisms in diverse environments. However, challenges remain. To fully leverage the potential of eDNA in tropical regions, further developments are needed: *Understanding eDNA Behavior: Research must continue to explore how tropical environmental conditions impact eDNA dispersal, degradation, and detection. *Expanding Sequence Databases: A targeted approach to increasing sequencing data for tropical species is essential for more reliable results. *Establishing Best Practices: Developing standardized eDNA protocols suitable for tropical fieldwork and lab analysis is crucial to ensure consistent, high-quality data. By addressing these gaps, we can enhance the effectiveness of eDNA for biodiversity research and conservation management, especially in remote and challenging tropical environments. Collaborative efforts to integrate eDNA with traditional field studies will pave the way for innovative approaches in ecological research and conservation practices. Together, we can revolutionize how we monitor and protect our planet's most biodiverse regions! 🌎🧬 #Biodiversity #Conservation #eDNA #TropicalResearch #Sustainability #EnvironmentalScience #Innovation

🌿 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓: 𝐁𝐍 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧? 🌿 Nearly all local planning authorities face a huge amount of ecological work with restricted capacity. This was the case before BNG became mandatory and is certainly the case since. The crunch on resourcing has been predicted for a long time, leading to the unavoidable elephant in the room: there aren’t enough ecologists. In our latest blog series, Tom Docker, Managing Director at Middlemarch, reflects on key areas of discussion arising from the rollout of statutory Biodiversity Net Gain. In part two, Tom explores whether the BNG system is fair on council ecologists. 👉🏽 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐰: https://lnkd.in/gQssBtXN #BiodiversityNetGain #Biodiversity #NetGain #StatutoryMetric #Ecology #CouncilEcologists #LocalPlanningAuthorities