Plantlife International’s Post

The Culprit Behind the Extinction of the Kihansi Toad in the Wild🌍🐸 Since emerging decades ago, the 𝐵𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑐ℎ𝑦𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑠 (𝐵𝑑) fungus has wreaked havoc on amphibian populations worldwide. A groundbreaking new study, featuring insights from our very own Prof. Ché Weldon, reveals that a previously underestimated strain of the fungus, 𝐵𝑑CAPE, is responsible for the extinction of the rare Kihansi spray toad in Tanzania. This collaborative research, involving scientists from the North-West University / Noordwes-Universiteit, Imperial College London, University College London, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet), University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), The Manchester Metropolitan University, Wild Planet Trust at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Field Museum of Natural History and Penn State University highlights the urgent need for further research and conservation efforts to protect vulnerable species. Read the full article to learn more about this critical issue and the work being done to combat it. 👉 https://lnkd.in/e3sf_6d5 Read official publication in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: 👉 https://lnkd.in/d8KEGVyv Carlos Bezuidenhout Che Weldon Cormac Price Ruhan Verster Imperial College London Molly Bletz Penn State University #Conservation #WildlifeResearch #Amphibians #ChytridFungus #BdCAPE #EnvironmentalScience #Tanzania

Are you registered with iNaturalist? Take part in the user survey, and help us increase and improve data on biodiversity around the UK! 🌲 🦔 🐌 🦀 🐸 🌳 🌼 🐞 🦅 🦊 🍄 Two my PhD students at the University of Exeter are working with the National Biodiversity Network Trust (NBN Trust) to find out more about experiences and attitudes towards iNaturalist and citizen biodiversity recording in the UK.   https://lnkd.in/eJjN4rE4 *Whether you use iNaturalist often or have yet to explore it we want to hear from you!* If you use iNaturalist often, just use it to identify things you see, or if you have only signed up and not yet used it, your input is important. The results of the survey will help us work out how to enagage more people in collecting more data on #biodiversity, helping protect #nature. This survey will involve answering questions about yourself, your thoughts on your personal well-being and feelings towards nature, and your usage of the iNaturalist platform. It should take approximately 15-20 minutes of your time to complete, and you can also choose to enter a prize draw for a £100 gift voucher or donate to a wildlife charity of your choice. All users registered on iNaturalist and affiliated to iNaturalistUK as at 01 June 2024 will be sent a unique link to complete the survey. Your personal link will go to the email inbox you are registered on iNaturalist with. Thank you!! #biodiversityrecording #biodiversitydata #conservation #citizenscience #nature #research #phdresearch Emma Squire

Happy Bat Appreciation Day! 🦇 Bat Appreciation Day, observed annually on April 17th, serves as a reminder of the vital role #bats play in our ecosystems. These often misunderstood creatures are not only fascinating but also crucial for maintaining #ecological balance. To delve deeper into the world of bats, Pakhi Das, consulting associate at International Biodiversity Consultants Ltd, interviewed Natalie Weber, a renowned expert in bat conservation and research who works with Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour and as a Strategic Advisor to Bat Conservation International for Endangered Species in Africa. Natalie shares her insights into the ecological significance of bats, highlights memorable experiences from her research, and discusses innovative methods for studying bats and addressing conservation challenges. From dispelling negative stereotypes to exploring the economic benefits of bats, this interview sheds light on the importance of understanding and appreciating these #nocturnal mammals. Read more about Natalie Weber's perspectives on bat conservation and the challenges facing bat populations in our full interview here: https://lnkd.in/da5tZ6DB Understanding bats is crucial not only for their own survival but also for the health and balance of our ecosystems, and therefore our survival! #BatAppreciationDay #BatConservation #WingedWonders #ProtectOurBats #EcosystemServices #Pollinators #FlyingMammals

This week on #TNBiodiversityHub, we introduce the Arabian Oryx (also known by its scientific name as Oryx leucoryx). The Arabian Oryx is UAE’s official national animal and is considered one of the largest mammals in the deserts of the Arab region. It can survive for long periods without water as it obtains its water requirements from the plants and grass it eats. Due to the Arabian Oryx being hunted for its meat and hides, and habitat loss due to construction and development, the Arabian Oryx was driven to its extinction in 1972 and was classified as ‘endangered’ by the IUCN Red List. After it was declared endangered in the 1970's, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, launched a successful conservation program, which made the UAE now home to the largest population in the world, with more than 6,900 individuals (EAD, no.date). With the region’s effort to save and repopulate the Arabian oryx, the IUCN reclassified the Arabian oryx as ‘vulnerable’ in 2011, after being listed as endangered for decades. #TNBiodiversityHub #Terranexus #biodiversity #ecology #conservation #environmentalconsulting #EIA

🍄✨ Big news from the mycological world! National Geographic Society has elevated fungi to wildlife status, officially recognising them alongside plants and animals. This groundbreaking decision shines a spotlight on mycology, opening doors for essential funding and research efforts dedicated to exploring and safeguarding fungi worldwide. Ian Miller, Chief Science & Innovation Officer at National Geographic Society, shares, “By broadening our wildlife focus to include fungi, we’re encouraging projects that delve into the preservation and understanding of these vital organisms, facing the same environmental challenges as flora and fauna.” This acknowledgment marks a pivotal moment, emphasising the importance of fungi in global conservation efforts. It bolsters our mission, in collaboration with our project partners, positioning #funga as a key player in our planet's biodiversity. Discover more by clicking the link in our bio. 🌍 #FungiFoundation #NatGeo #NationalGeographic #Fungi #Wildlife #FloraFaunaFunga #Mycology #Lordofthetrees #Weareonaregenrativemission

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟭 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁) 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 The Swiftest website ranked 201 countries based on its Global Biodiversity Index (2022). Rankings are based on available data to highlight the most and least biodiverse nations. The index evaluates six key factors: the number of bird, amphibian, fish, mammal, reptile, and plant species in each country. Notably, these rankings rely on raw species counts without adjusting for land area or geographic locations.  Papua New Guinea ranks 12th, just behind Venezuela (11th) and ahead of Myanmar (13th).  You can have a look a the full listing here: https://lnkd.in/gbfnR-9x #Biodiversity #Conservation #Sustainability #Environment #GlobalIndex #Nature

Tiputinia foetida is an extremely rare insect pollinated parasitic plant that feeds on mycelium instead of photosynthesizing energy with chlorophyll. Known only from Ecuador and Peru, it is in the Burmanniaceae family, which contains many rare mycoheterotrophs. Only three other observations of this species are on iNaturalist. It isn't known which fungi this plant associates with, however the original species description says "microscopic examination of a root cross section revealed an extensive network of intracellular, looped, septate fungal hyphae within the root cortex." Tiputinia foetida was discovered in 2007 and is the only member of the genus Tiputinia, which is named after the type location, the Tiputini Biodiversity Station.

The battle against the invasive plant species Phragmites, often referred to as "phrag," is gaining ground in Ontario, thanks to the effective use of glyphosate. Known as Canada's worst invasive species, phrag can reach heights of over five meters, outcompeting native plants and disrupting critical wildlife habitats for threatened species. Cities, NGOs, and government agencies have long been engaged in a relentless fight against this invasive plant. Now, Ontario is stepping up with a substantial $16-million investment over the next three years to combat invasive species, including phrag. Experts from the Nature Conservancy of Canada/Conservation de la nature Canada and the Invasive Species Centre highlight that herbicides like glyphosate and Habitat Aqua have been instrumental in making significant strides in the fight against phrag. A prime example of this success is Long Point on the shores of Lake Erie, where 2,200 hectares (about 5,500 football fields) of phrag have been effectively treated, restoring some of Ontario's natural habitats. #InvasiveSpecies #Glyphosate #habitatrestoration

Historic Step: Wildlife = Flora, Fauna & now FUNGA! National Geographic Society's now includes fungi in its wildlife definition to increase awareness & unlock research funding. 💡 Why does it matter? - Without them, life as we know it wouldn't exist  - We have 5 million species of fungi, but 90% remain undocumented - This change creates the needed awareness & unlocks funding for conservation & research Still here? Let's dive deeper. 🍄 What are Fungi?  ↳ Any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms like yeasts, molds & mushrooms.  ↳ They aren't plants & neither are animals; they are their own kingdom. 🍯 Want to have a wild Fungi Fact? The worlds largest living organism is a single gigantic specimen of honey mushroom. 🧐 Why are they so important?  ↳ Without yeasts, there would be no bread, beer, wine, chocolate, coffee ↳ Life on land is dependent on plants interactions with mycorrhizal fungi ↳ Through decomposition, they recycle all organic matter on the planet ↳ They are capable of cleaning up toxic waste ↳ They are carbon reservoirs of nature But despite their importance Fungi are under-researched & represent only 0.2% of global conservation priorities. Time to change, right? 💪 What can YOU do to boost funga? Learn.  More about this unsung hero of our natural world by watching the new National Geographic documentary "Flora, Fauna, Funga" or read books (links below).   Follow. Follow the leading voices of the Fungi kingdom like Giuliana Furci, Paul Stamets or Merlin Sheldrake. Support.   Support Giuliana Furci NGO Fungi Foundation with your money, time or skills. To get fungi the attention it deserves. The future is funga. Time to boost this overlooked hero of our natural world. P.S. If fungi could talk, what do you think they'd say about their newfound fame in the wildlife world? #fungi #wildlife #funga #biodiversity Credit: This amazing clip was produced by National Geographic & Giuliana Furci. Please watch the entire documentary using the link below.

https://lnkd.in/eXbe3Gqj According to recent findings published in Kew’s State of the World’s Plants and Fungi 2023 report, as many as 3 in 4 of the world’s undescribed plant species are already threatened with extinction. #genetic #biodiversity