CorGROWna Garden: the impact of coronavirus with many people at home By: Rose Wilson

Coronavirus clearly has impacted everyone with most, hopefully, all of us staying home for months. Scientists including Dr. Fauci claim that there will most likely be a resurgence in the fall with a vaccine not available for another 12-18 months. Along with this, the unemployment rate has skyrocketed to 16% (Bureau of Labor Statistics). So many more people are home and expecting to stay home much longer than ever anticipated before, we now have a lot more time at home to start new projects that could help both ourselves and our environment.

Therefore, I am proposing to start a corGROWna garden. The food produced from it will help feed you and your family if money becomes difficult to come by and at least have a supply of healthy and fresh produce instead of the canned goods you may have stockpiled. However, as we learned in class, biological diversity is important to the health and wellness of an ecosystem. It is also applicable when starting an at-home garden. Even a garden that you grow on your windowsill or backyard is still a small scale ecosystem and therefore you should consider all the aspects of biodiversity while building the garden. The most obvious one is species diversity. When you plant a garden, you should consider planting a few of each plant. Many people start with tomatoes and some herbs, however, try to aim for a few of each variety. Therefore the garden will be both rich and even; if one tomato plant dies then there will still be other tomato plants and if all the tomato plants fail then there will be a different fruit that you can still enjoy. Genetic diversity is difficult for a gardener to control for and often is based on luck. However, fruit forms when plants are pollinated which can be promoted by including some flowers in your garden. Such as in our garden we will be including marigolds to attract bees for pollination but also deter harmful pests such as the horrible Japanese beetles (invasive species). Lastly, it is important to think about functional diversity in a home garden. You may be tempted to spray pesticides or weed killer in the garden, please don’t, as it also kills the good bacteria in the soil that contribute to the ecological cycles. The best thing to do is plant natural pest deterrents, and simply go out once a day to pluck weeds and keep an eye out for insects. 

Overall, the goal is to utilize naturally occurring ecosystems to help promote your garden instead of fighting against nature. 

The images included are the plans for my family’s garden this year if you would like to take inspiration from it.

Citation:

New York State Envirothon, 2020, www.nysenvirothon.org/?s=Study+Guides.

Images were taken by self, credit to Jordan Wilson for assisting with garden plans

 Animal Life Thriving Around Fukisima Nearly A Decade After Nuclear Disaster

Nearly a decade after the bombing that occurred in Fukishima, Japan, researchers are finding that wildlife populations are thriving in areas that are void of human life, despite the nuclear fallout that occurred after the bombing in 1945. This study was conducted by snapping photos of 20 species of different animals that live near the site – including wild boar, Japanese hare, foxes and pheasants.

During their observations, researchers sectioned off three different areas to take pictures – no human presence due to high nuclear contamination; limited human presence due to contamination; and areas where humans actively inhabit due to “background” radiation not being as severe. These zones were previously established by the Japanese government in 2011, and the research correlated with their distinctions. The area void of human interaction served as the control for the experiment, despite their not being any previous data on wildlife populations in evacuated areas.

Researchers quickly discovered that species such as the wild boar were exceedingly abundant in the zone with no human interaction, in much bigger populations. Normally, humans and boars would share territory, so without any human interference, the boar population grew quickly. Other species seen in high numbers across the restricted area were raccoons, Japanese marten, and Japanese macaque.

Anticipating questions about the physiological condition of the wildlife in the evacuated area, Hinton stated that the study is not an evaluation of the physical wellbeing of the animals living in the area. “This research makes an important contribution because it examines radiological impacts to populations of wildlife, whereas most previous studies have looked for effects to individual animals," said Hinton. The area studied during their research was also incredibly diverse, containing mountainous and coastal areas, which were also considered during the study.

Based on their findings, researchers concluded that the main factors- elevation, presence of humans and habitat type were the primary influencers on the population present in the radioactive areas, rather than just the effects of the radiation. The results indicated that most species aligned with their natural or well-known patterns after the evacuation, which caused populations of certain species to boom.

One exception to this theory was the Japanese serow, a goat-like mammal. Traditionally the serow lived far away from humans, but after the evacuation, the population was frequently seen on footage migrating towards rural human-inhabited mountain areas. Researchers also suggested that this move could be because of the rapidly growing boar and black bear population in evacuated areas, pushing them out of their original habitat.

 This topic relates back to class because of the way species adapted to the change in their enviroment. Species that were more generalist and could utilize different resources around them were able to adapt and grow their populations despite the evacuation of humans, and recover from this event. These species include the wild boars, and other predatory populations that have more territory to make use of since the evacuation of the human population. Species such as the serow were able to adapt and make use of new enviroments, migrating closer to humans. 

Wild Boar Spotted in Fukishima

Gianna Gisotti 

Image: https://scitechdaily.com/despite-nuclear-accident-animal-life-is-thriving-around-fukushima/ 

Article:https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200106124336.htm

Nature returns to cities on lockdown Jordan Epp

Jordan Epp
4/5/2020



Photo caption: Goats walk through Wales city ( https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-show-nature-is-reclaiming-urban-areas-amid-coronavirus-2020-4 )

Recently everyone around the world has been effected by the Coronavirus. Everyone is staying inside and they are not allowed to go about their normal day, and it's got most people feeling down. It's hard to stay positive in a time like this, but when you find an article like this, it helps. It seems like every piece of news we see is talking about all the bad things going on because of coronavirus, but this is is just the opposite, it talks about how corona is helping. This article is about how wild animals are roaming around the now empty streets of the once busiest cities and other ways the coronavirus is having a positive effect.

The article starts by saying the cities around the world have already reported significantly lower air pollution due to all the people staying inside. The article has a lot of photos in it to support the topic. The first image is a comparison of china before and after coronavirus, with the air pollution highlighted and it is very easy to see that almost all of it has disappeared. The next image is of the Los Angeles sky looking very blue and clear. LA is usually very smoggy and it is hard to see through but that has changed now. There is also a tweet included from someone who said something similar. The article also mentions how the air in Rome, NYC, Seattle and San Francisco had gotten better due to coronavirus and the lack of cars driving through the city. Next the article shows a real neat photo of Venice and talks about how the water in the streets have cleared up and even fish are seen swimming in them now. The next few pictures show animals roaming around cities in Wales, Japan, Barcelona and California. Some of the animals seen walking through the streets are deer, mountain goats and turkeys. During these times its very important to look at the bright side, and cute things like animals walking around cities is the perfect thing. We spend a lot of time in class talking about how big of an effect humans have on nature and on the animals and it is so cool to see what happens when humans are taken out of the equation. The animals are probably having a field day!

I think that articles and news pieces like this are the most important during these times and they are often a good way to cheer yourself up. I hope that everyone is staying healthy, safe, and positive in these corona times and I hope cute articles like this can help to brighten your day.

Citation:

Rogers, Taylor Nicole. “LA's Skies Are Smog-Free and Venice's Canals Are Clear. Photos Show How Nature Has Returned to Cities Shut down by the Coronavirus Pandemic.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 3 Apr. 2020, www.businessinsider.com/photos-show-nature-is-reclaiming-urban-areas-amid-coronavirus-2020-4.

The Possibility that Coral Reefs will be Eliminated by 2100

By: Ben Rivett

April 5, 2020

Photo Credit: “Is Sunscreen Killing Our Coral Reefs?” National Geographic, 22 Oct. 2015, www.nationalgeographic.com.au/nature/is-sunscreen-killing-our-coral-reefs.aspx.

             According to researchers, ocean acidification as well as constant rising temperatures are the main reasons on why coral reefs are starting to die.  It is commonly believed among the public that we are the cause of many oceanic problems; such as pollution, but this is not the main reason.  Although it plays a role in these failing coral reefs, it is not as big of one as you may believe.  According to Renee Setter, a biogeographer at the University of Hawaii Manoa, there is reason to believe that a large portion of coral reefs around the globe will be decimated.  Setter says that coral reefs will be looking very grim by the year 2100.  Many Scientists believe that 70-90% of the coral reefs will disappear completely.  Researchers have began preliminary tests attempting to find a solution to restore these reefs; these tests revolve around the area's sea surface temperatures and acidity.  Along with these tests many groups have mentioned the idea of implementing live coral reefs, that were made in a lab, to replace the dying ones in hopes to bring the area back to life.  Although the chances of repairing many of areas affected are slim to none, the most that we can do is fight climate change.  Outside of doing our best to fight climate change, there is not much that we can do, much of the damage has already been done.
           Coral reefs are one of the most important areas of life on the entire earth and are currently in great danger, yet nobody is talking about them.  In class, we discussed how diverse coral reefs are and how vital they are in oceans. Coral reefs contain the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, are a main habitat for many, protect coastlines during massive storms and more.  We talked in class about ecosystems a great deal, and it is important to see the damage being caused to one of them.
            I chose to discuss this topic, because coral reefs are an essential part of the natural world, and they are dying.  Reading this article made me think about what is happening in this world.  This is such a big issue, however barely discussed.  I found this article after countless webpages looking for a topic.  I do not understand why this is not mainstream news.  Hearing that coral reefs could be completely eliminated is a scary thought when understanding their importance.  Most of the damage is already done, according to the article.  We need to do better as a culture and focus on our earth and do all that we can to save these coral reefs; if they disappear, there could possibly be big changes to the earth as we know it.

Works Cited: American Geophysical Union. "Warming, acidic oceans may nearly eliminate coral reef habitats by 2100." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 February 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200218124358.htm>.

Using bacteria to fight the plastic pollution problem in landfills

Tristan Girard 

April 5, 2020

Figure caption: bacteria P. putida breaking down polyurethane monomers.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/30/world/bacteria-degrades-plastic-scn-trnd/index.html

In the last 70 years, humans have manufactured over 8 billion tons of plastic, with that, not a single ounce of that has yet to be 100% completely decomposed by the environment. Scientists have been trying to find novel ways to try and solve the plastic pollution crisis in our world. A recent research study got the attention of a news outlet, CNN in this case, and what the study examined was how certain bacteria can play a role in breaking down plastics. The study found a particular type of bacteria, called Pseudomonas putida. P. putida has the special ability to break down a plastic building block that many polyurethane plastics are made from. The bacteria are able to break down and metabolize the carbon in the plastic, and use it for energy.

The main benefit here is that it is not toxic to humans, and there is no negative impact on the environment by letting these bacteria use this plastic for fuel and safely getting rid of plastic from our environment. The drawback to all this is that the bacteria can only break down the building blocks of polyurethane plastic, not all plastics like bigger and more complex ones.

This is a huge find by researchers and relates to the topic of ecology because it is a brand new way of dealing with plastic pollution. As time goes on, so does the world's plastic use, so we need to come up with ingenious ways to fight it without any negative consequences. This new technique can revolutionize how we break down carbon carcinogenic compounds like plastic, and allow our environment to begin to recover. This furthermore relates to our class because it offers a solution that affects all ecosystems across the globe. Solving the plastic crisis are the next steps to stabilizing our environment and planning for ecological growth and longevity. 

Work cited:

Andrew, Scottie. “Plastic-Eating Bacteria Could Be Small Step toward Tackling World's Pollution Crisis.” CNN, Cable News Network, 30 Mar. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/03/30/world/bacteria-degrades-plastic-scn-trnd/index.html.

Overpopulation is an overlooked factor

Svavar Nökkvason
April 5, 2020

The red line shows the rate of increase in human population from 1750 but the blue one shows population by year.

Throughout the years, it has become clear that the mankind reproduces in an uncontrollable manner, and with such rapidity that at some point nature will not be able to cope with this development.  It is a fundamental feature of all organisms to multiply, but all reproduction must happen in balance with nature and what belongs to it.  By the beginning of the 20^th century, the world population was around 1.6 billion, and by the start of the current 21^st century, it had grown to almost 6.2 billion.  Since humanity was able to increase its population by 4.6 billion people in a time period of 100 years, it is no surprise to see how nature‘s situation is today.  The crisis isn‘t about the fact that reproduction only takes place, it is about how fast it takes place.  It is time to slow down.

So how does human overpopulation affect the nature?  Not only is it about the concern of the reproduction rapidity, but more importantly the concern of balance.  The word ‘balance’ refers to a situation that does not change as time goes on, and having balance is what nature wants.  In a brief article about environmental matters, André Beauchamp explains why overpopulation, among other factors, is a global issue.  He says that “It is a global crisis of humanity because it is connected with the Earth as a system and its balances” (Beauchamp 14), and that “Human beings have upset balances in place” (Beauchamp 13).  By reproducing rapidly, and spreading all around the world as well, we have made the Earth become sick in a very similar way as cancer makes humans sick.  It isn’t a beautiful fact to face but humanity has indeed become Earth’s cancer.

Overpopulation is undoubtedly a difficult subject for people to address and is hard to argue for, and that’s why it is often overlooked when we talk about the environment.  Nevertheless, the world must be more aware of it, because it is indeed the source of today’s climate problems.  Humans are nothing but guests.  They are hotel guests at an amazing 5-star hotel called Earth.

Works Cited:

Beauchamp, André.  “A Time for New Hope.”  Ecumenism, no. 183, 2011, pp. 13-14.

www.ourworldindata.org

Ocean Heat Waves Are Threatening Marine Life

Nina Gonzalez

April 5, 2020

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/04/climate/marine-heat-waves.html?searchResultPosition=1

According to a recent study from the Nature Climate Change, oceans have had heat waves. When most people hear the phrase heat wave, we usually only assume it happens on land and affects just us. However, marine heat waves have been occurring when temperatures in the water increase more than usual for five days or more. Humans have increased greenhouse gases in the environment from the burning of fossil fuels. These greenhouse gases have started to become trapped in the ocean, which in turn warms the water. The increasing baseline ocean temperature leads to more prolonged and more intense marine heat waves.

Increasing marine temperatures lead to problems for commercial fisheries because the warm water harms fish. Also, seabirds who feed off of fish have, in recent years, decreased due to the fish population dwindling from the increased water temperatures. According to scientists, in particular biologists, foundational species such as seagrass, coral reefs, and kelp forests have had significant losses. These three support aquatic life because they provide shelter, act as food sources as well as moderators of temperature. Oceans are heat sinks, meaning they can store a large amount of heat. However, every ecosystem has a tipping point, and the oceans are a weather phenomenon called El Nino. They usually happen every few years. However, they thrive off of warm water temperatures. El Ninos causes warmer air, which then, in turn, rises, and becomes clouds.

It was surprising to come across this article because growing up on the ocean, and I had never heard of ocean heat waves before this article. Because of the increased baseline temperatures in the ocean, climate change is happening faster than expected. This relates to the course because it is just another example of how humans negatively impact the environment.

Works Cited:

Pierre-louis, Kendra, and Nadja Popovich. “Ocean Heat Waves Are Threatening Marine Life.” 

The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 Mar. 2019, 

www.nytimes.com/2019/03/04/climate/marine-heat-waves.html?searchResultPosition=1.