Researchers uncover a potential treasure trove of microbes living with mangroves
Phys.Org The microbial community around mangrove roots is crucial for the plants' ability to cope with stresses in their environment. A research team from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia, shows it may be possible to use ... |
Trail, boat ramp planned at Ten-Mile Estuary
Ukiah Daily Journal Known as the Ten Mile Estuary, this beautiful spot where the beach meets the river has likely been gazed at longingly for decades by birdwatchers and kayakers who wished it were accessible to the public. And soon it will be, as last week the Mendocino ... |
The Guiana dolphin looks similar to the bottlenose dolphin but smaller. More inconspicuous than its counterparts, these cetaceans prefer to live in small groups of about two to 10 individuals.
Since 2003, Rio’s Guiana dolphin numbers have dropped by 40%. Nearly 10 Guiana dolphins are killed every month in fishing nets in the Bay of Sepetiba, in Rio. Today, there are less than 800 remaining and the Guiana dolphin may become extinct in just a few short years.
Additional threats include commercial illegal fishing, pollution, depletion of prey and habitat, ship traffic, port development and other coastal impacts.
“What we are fighting for here is to ensure that the Guiana dolphin doesn’t go the way of Mexico’s vaquita porpoise – a species moments away from extinction due to some of the same threats,” explained Sea Shepherd Legal’s Executive Director, Catherine Pruett. Scientists recently concluded that just 60 vaquita are left.
“With the spotlight on Rio for the summer Olympics, this represents a real opportunity for the government of Brazil to show the world that it is in tune with public sentiment and that it cares about wildlife, specifically the Guiana dolphin,” Pruett said.
The petition is addressed to the following responsible government agencies: the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, Instituto Estadual do State Institute of the Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal Police – Ministry of Justice, Rio de Janeiro Port Authority, and Itacuruçá Port Authority.
This is part of a collaborative effort between Sea Shepherd Legal, two local NGOs and Brazil’s Federal Prosecutors office, which is working diligently to save the Guiana dolphin by pressing these agencies to take action.
 Frontier Myanmar |
Saving the mangroves
Frontier Myanmar The reason is the continuing destruction of mangrove forests that provide a coastal buffer against extreme weather. To help protect the delta and other coastal areas where mangroves are or have been abundant, projects to rehabilitate, regenerate and ... |
