| Hi Everybody,
Here is my third and final news digest! |
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| Artificial light alters urban tree phenology. The high level of artificial light at night as well as increased air temperature in cities impacts the seasonal life cycles (phenology) of urban ecosystems. This recent study used satellite data (validated with data from the National Phenology Network!) to determine how these factors impact the length of growing seasons. They found that artificial light played a larger role than increased air temperature in extending the tree growing season by delaying the end of the season. To reduce ecological impacts, cities should adopt more sustainable lighting strategies in urban planning. |
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| | | 📸 Sunflower Sea Stars| Credit: Sue Daly, Nature Picture Library |
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New hope for treatment of sea star wasting disease. Sea star wasting disease, an epidemic first noticed in 2013 off the Pacific Northwest coast, has impacted at least 26 species of sea stars, including the critically endangered sunflower sea star. This epidemic has created cascading effects up the food web as the urchin population (prey of sea stars) has grown rapidly, leading to overgrazing and shrinkage of kelp forests. After over a decade, these researchers have identified a pathogenic bacterium as the cause, marking the first step toward finding a treatment for this disease. |
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| Phenological changes in plants and animals could disrupt ecosystems. This recent study examined changes in phenological timing since 1981 using data compiled from phenology monitoring projects around the world, including National Phenology Network (to which EwA is a leading contributor). They found that phenophases of plants and animals are changing at different rates. This asynchronization could disrupt ecological stability and timing specific interactions such as flowering and pollinator presence. |
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| Biofluorescent Eastern Quoll photographed for the first time. The carnivorous marsupial known as the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) is endemic to Australia and largely found on the island of Tasmania. The eastern quoll is brown or black with white spots under visible light, however it emits a blue fluorescence under UV light. For the first time the eastern quoll’s biofluorescence was photographed in the wild as part of a research effort on the impact of light pollution. |
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| Holistic ecosystem restoration. Projects involving invasive species management and revegetation of land with native plants are often completed in isolation. The authors of this review paper call for combining them into one coordinated process, where strategies for controlling invasives also support native plant recovery and planting methods that help prevent reinvasion. Some examples include coordinating invasive removal with planting schedules, improving soil health, and planting native plants with high genetic diversity to increase population resilience.
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| Thanks for reading my news digest. I have really enjoyed my internship with EwA this summer, thank you for all being so welcoming and kind. I look forward to staying a part of the EwA community after my internship ends! |
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| | - AmandaEarthwise Aware | Summer Intern |
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