My Science School

The everglades national park in the U.S. is home to one of the largest wetlands in the world. But there’s an invasive species there has been singularly decimating native mammal species for decades.

It's the largest!

The largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S., Everglades National Park is located on the southern part of Florida. Covering an area of more than 6,000 sq.km. the region is a veritable mosaic of ecosystems from freshwater sloughs, prairies, and pineland to cypress, mangrove, coastal lowlands, marine, and estuarine. More than 40 species of mammals, nearly 50 species of reptiles, over 300 species of birds and an equal number of fish species, in addition to several types of insects such as butterflies, arachnids, millipedes, and centipedes, call the Park home. The region is a refuge for several rare, endangered, and threatened species. Within the limits of the Park are breeding grounds for several waders. It is also a significant corridor for migratory birds. The Park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. However, it was moved to the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1993 and remained so till 2007. In 2010, the region was included in the list again and has continued to remain there. This is because the Park, "due to its low lying elevation, is vulnerable to rising sea levels driven by a warming climate".

Wildlife

The birds found in the Park include ducks, teals, pintails, wigeons, shovelers, gadwalls, geese, storks, ibises, herons, egrets, bitterns, spoonbills, eiders, hummingbirds, swifts, nighthawks, sandpipers, plovers, gulls, snipers, stilts, terms, godwits, curlews, doves, kingfishers, cuckoos, hawks, kites, falcons, kestrels, loons, coots, rails, moorhens, mynahs, sparrows, finches, thrushes, wrens, crows, warblers, Flycatchers, crows, grosbeaks, swallows, orioles, buntings, nuthatches, starlings, pelicans, cormorants, woodpeckers, grebes, shearwaters, parakeets, and owls. Among the amphibians living here are frogs, toads, newts, and sirens. The land and marine mammals one can sight here are manatees, panthers, deer, bobcats, raccoons, opossums, foxes, otters, and rabbits. The reptile world in the Park is dominated by alligators, crocodiles, snakes, boas, pythons, iguanas, skinks, geckos, lizards, turtles, and terrapins.

Irula expertise to rescue Florida!

Burmese pythons are among the largest snakes in the world, and can grow up to even 20 feet in length. Native to Southeast Asia, these pythons are an invasive species in Everglades. They are said to have reached the place in the 1980s when exotic pet trade thrived and many of the snakes arrived in the region as pets. When it turned out they'd grow to be over 20 feet, many of the pet owners just released them into the wild. It is said that when Hurricane Andrew unleashed its fury in the region in 1992, many captive pythons spread into the region and have thrived in the swamps since. Nobody knows the exact number of pythons out there. And that's been bad news! These snakes have been decimating native mammal species for decades. As part of the initiatives to tackle the menace, a python removal programme was introduced. A few years ago, the efforts included a team from India. To be precise, the Irula tribe snake hunters from Tamil Nadu. Why the Irulas? Because they are considered among the best snake hunters in the world. But they would be crossing continents and working in a different terrain. Would it work? Work, it did! In just 14 days, they managed to catch as many Burmese pythons.

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A delta of the Okavango River Basin, the region spreads across 6,000 sq km in northwestern Botswana of Africa. Comprising swamps, and plains that flood seasonally, this delta is one of the very few large inland delta systems that does not drain into the sea. Instead, it has an outlet into the sands of the Kalahari basin. During the dry season every year, the delta is fed by the Okavango River. And, the wildlife here is said to have adjusted their own life cycles according to this season, making this a great example of synchronisation between seasons and wildlife. The delta is much noted for its biodiversity, and is said to host one of the largest African elephant populations in the world. In addition to supporting populations of lions, cheetahs and wild dogs, it nurtures hundreds of species of birds. The region was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 and is also an Important Bird Area. This protected area is not without concerns. There has been a decline in the population of animal species and the reasons are not very clear yet. Also, there are no systems in place to protect the river outside of this country.

Wildlife

The delta boasts a variety of animals and birds. Among the birds that can be spotted here are ducks, geese, shelducks, teals, pochards, quails, francolins, flamingoes, grebes, pigeons, doves, sandgrouses, nightjars, swifts, coucals, cuckoos, moorhen, coots, swamphens, cranes, bustards, storks, pelicans, bitterns, herons, egrets, ibises, cormorants, thickknees, stilts, avocets, plovers, lapwings, jacanas, sandpipers. pratincoles, coursers, kites, buzzards, hawks, vultures, eagles, harriers, goshawks, owls, owlets, hornbills, hoopoes, honeyguides, rollers, kingfishers, falcons, kestrels, parrots. cuckooshrikes, oxpeckers, orioles, flycatchers, sunbirds, weavers, finches, sparrows, pipits, buntings, tits, larks, warblers, prinias swallows, martins, bulbuls, babblers, starlings, robins, wheatears, and thrushes. The place supports many endangered species too such as cheetah, the African wild dog and black and white rhinoceros. The other animals found here include the African elephant, African buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hippopotamus, crocodile, waterbuck, warthog, baboon, hyena, wildebeest, lion, leopard, caracal, and antelopes such as impala, lechwe, topi and sable.

Conservation outlook

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the conservation outlook for the region has been assessed as "good with some concerns" in the latest assessment cycle (2020). This has remained thus since 2014. The delta is a vast and pristine wetland system that has largely been untouched by human-caused activity such as development work. In addition to its vastness, the region's inaccessibility and "low human population densities" have helped in keeping it in a good condition. But it has a few concerns too. The most significant among them is the threat of poaching, as is evident from the decrease in the populations of certain mammals over the last 10 years or so. Of particular concern is the increasing poaching of elephants. Veterinary fences for disease control among animals were erected earlier, but they affected the movement of migratory animals in the region. However, some of these fences have been removed to ensure their free movement.

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The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the very few places in the world to spot the mountain gorilla in the wild. Indicative of a healthy habitat, the number of this endangered species there has increased in the last few years.

Situated in the southwest part of Uganda and bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park spans more than 320 sq.km. The forests in the Park are believed to be the remaining areas of what was once a very large forest region covering vast areas of western Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. With more than 200 tree species and 100 fern species, this biodiversity hotspot is said to have one of the largest number of tree species at this altitude in this part of the continent. Not surprisingly, the Park hosts more than 300 species of birds, including those that are endemic to the region. The place also nurtures several species of butterflies and mammals. Most importantly, it is one of the three places in the world where mountain gorillas can be found, and is home to nearly half the world's population of these gorillas. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, the Park thrives primarily on community support and ecotourism. However, it is threatened by development activities, habitat loss, and hunting of gorillas and chimpanzees.

Wildlife

Some of the birds that can be spotted in the Park are francolins, owls, nightjars, bee-eaters, tinkerbinds honeyguides, woodpeckers, shrikes warblers flycatchers, tits, sunbirds, storks weavers, orioles, wagtails seedeaters, broadbills, cuckooshrikes, swallows, robins, cuckoos barbets, trogons, kingfishers, pigeons, doves, and buzzards Baboons. monkeys, squirrels, antelopes such as marshbuck, chimpanzees, elephants, and mountain gorillas are among the mammals found in the region.

Mountain gorilla facts

• Found only in three countries today-Rwanda Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo-the mountain gorilla is a subspecies of the eastern gorilla.
• It is also called the silverback gorilla since the adult male has a silvery patch of hair on its back. This mammal can grow up to six feet and weigh even more than 200 kg. Despite its imposing size, the gorilla is a gentle, calm, and non-aggressive animal that gets aggressive only when disturbed or threatened
• The mountain gorilla's food is predominantly vegetarian, consisting of shoots, roots, fruits, etc. But it will also help itself to insects. This mammal is usually found in troops led by an adult male and comprising younger males females, and their offspring. Young gorillas spend a lot of their time playing much like their human counterparts!
• Though its population is said to be increasing, thanks to consistent conservation efforts, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the animal as endangered since it continues to be threatened by habitat destruction and hunting.

Threats

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the conservation outlook for this site has been assessed as "good with some concerns in the latest assessment cycle (2020). While globally several endangered species continue to see decline in numbers, the mountain gorilla population has seen a slight in the last few years. In fact gorilla-based tourism in the region has helped the community living around it. But the place is still not without its share of concerns. As a thickly populated region, human-animal conflict is a reality, especially during crop raids by wildlife. Communities using forest produce too are a direct threat to the natural habitat and its inhabitants. However, the threat to the place overall is perceived as low.

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Though Antarctica is considered the least disturbed and contaminated place in the world, it is not without concerns. It is threatened severely on one side by global warming and change, and on the other by aspects such as overshfishing, whaling, sealing (seal hunting), and pollution all caused singularly by humans

The fifth largest continent in the world, Antarctica is a vast expanse of ice-covered landmass surrounded by the sea. Spanning nearly 15 million sq.km., the continent is said to contain almost three-quarters of the planet's freshwater in its ice sheets. The coldest continent in the world, Antarctica is a polar desert covered in darkness one part of the year.

Antarctica is uninhabited, remote, and has among the harshest terrains and climates in the world. Yet, why do scientists from across the globe brave the elements to study the region? Because it is the world's most important natural laboratory, and has a very significant role in helping us understand how the world works. Under its several-km-thick ice sheets is the report card of the planet's climate over the last one million years. This southernmost continent helps us understand global climate change, has a telling effect on the planet's ocean systems and most importantly, it is an indicator of the overall health of the planet. Although the Antarctic ice may not melt completely any time soon, the alarming rate at which it is melting has raised grave concerns globally on potential sea-level rise across the world.

Under the Antarctic Treaty (signed in 1959 and implemented in 1961), the region has been declared a special conservation area, and several human activities carried out earlier have now been prohibited, in a serious effort to conserve the natural balance of the unique environment.

Wildlife

Due to its vast ice cover, the region supports a limited population of plant species that have adapted to the cold. While there are no trees or shrubs, there are lichens, grass, and algae, among others. However, as if to make up for this, it has a rich marine life. The waters are abundant in krill, a shrimp-like marine creature that is integral to the Antarctic marine food chain. The areas in and around the continent nurtures several species of fish, squids, whales, (including killer whale and blue whale), dolphins, and seals. Among Antarctica's most popular residents are emperor and adelie penguins that are endemic to the region. Other penguin species found in the region include chinstrap and gentoo penguins. In addition to these flightless birds, petrels, albatrosses, cormorants, gulls, and terms can also be spotted in the area. Apart from seals and the birds, the native land fauna predominantly comprises invertebrates, and there are no completely terrestrial predators in the area.

Did you know?

No polar bears: Though they are called "polar bears, these bears are found only in the Arctic, near the North Pole, and not in Antarctica, the South Pole. Incidentally, polar bears are said to be a very recent offshoot from the brown bear lineage.

Shared parenting: During the harsh winter, the female emperor penguin lays an egg and makes a long and arduous journey back to the sea to nourish herself - till the egg hatches-lasting about two months. Meanwhile, in equally trying environs, the male stands and balances the egg on its feet, covering it with its own feathered skin called a brood pouch. During the two-month guarding, the male eats nothing, braving the Antarctic elements. The female returns around the time that the egg hatches, making the same arduous and long journey back, but this time with a belly full of food for the newborn.

Punctured ozone layer: In 1985, scientists at British Antarctic Survey discovered a hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica, revealing the damage human-made chemicals have done to the Earth's atmosphere.

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In addition to offering stunning views of snow-clad mountains, the Himalayas is crucial for us humans and wildlife. How? Let's find out!

One of the youngest mountain ranges on the planet  the Himalayas separates the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan plateau  the range covers a very large area spanning countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, and Bhutan, in addition to India. It is home to some of the highest mountains in the world including Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. The Indian Himalayas runs through several regions, including Jammu and Kashmir. Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and West Bengal . The vast size, huge altitude range, and complex topography means the Himalayas experiences a wide range of climate - from humid subtropical to cold, dry desert conditions - that is perfect for rich biodiversity. The flora ranges from grasslands, shrublands, and coniferous forests to broadleaf forests. These great mountains are home to over 300 species of mammals, nearly 1,000 species of birds, and thousands of reptile, amphibian, and fish species. However, the brutal effects of deforestation, poaching, and global warming have not spared the region, where several species are now said to be on the verge of extinction, and many more, endangered.

Birds

Himalayan monal, black-necked Tibetan crane, snow partridge, golden eagle, Himalayan vulture, crested serpent eagle, bearded vulture, Himalayan griffon vulture, brown accentor, robin accentor, Tickell's leaf warbler, streaked rosefinch, Himalayan quail, Tibetan snowfinch, fork-tailed swift, red-billed chough, Himalayan snowcock, blue whistling thrush, crested kingfisher, Eurasian buzzard, blood pheasant, western tragopan, osprey, green pigeon, snow pigeon, grey nightjar, Asian emerald cuckoo, a variety of terns, geese, ducks, gulls, grebes, falcons, babblers, doves, woodpeckers, parakeets, orioles, drongos, magpies, flowerpeckers, sparrows, wagtails, pipits, snipes, owls, barwings, tits, laughing, thrushes, nuthatches, warblers, and sunbirds.

Animals

Snow leopard, white-bellied musk deer, Himalayan tahr, takin (goat-antelope or gnu goat), Himalayan serow (goat-antelope),  Himalayan goral (a bovid species). Himalayan brown bear, the Asian black bear (also known as the moon bear or white-chested bear), red panda, golden langur, the Kashmir grey langur, Himalayan wild yak, Himalayan marmot, Himalayan blue sheep, Himalayan wolf, masked palm civet, yellow-throated marten, Siberian ibex, Tibetan gazelle (or goa), clouded leopard, flying squirrel, red fox, Himalayan weasel, wild dog, sloth bear, and great Tibetan Sheep. Reptiles include common krait, banded krait, Indian spectacled cobra, Indian king cobra, Russell's viper, Himalayan pit viper. Himalayan cat snake, common vine snake, and common bronze back tree snake.

Did you know?

• The Indian Himalayan region is responsible for providing water to a large part of the country - through rivers that come from the Himalayan glaciers. India has nearly 9,000 glaciers, and there are three major Himalayan rivers - the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Indus. Since Himalayan rivers rise from snow-bound mountains, they are perrennial rivers.
• When global warming became a realistic threat decades ago, it was hoped that India's glaciers would hold up better than others because they rely on monsoons as opposed to just snowfall. But this appears to have been misguided because ice is melting at an alarming rate, resulting is regular floods across the country.

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Early dew will minimize advantage. Dew factor will come into play. Will the bowlers overcome the challenge posed by dew?

You must have heard these lines while watching cricket matches. You guessed it right , we're going to talk about the dew - but not about its role in cricket matches. Instead, let's examine how dew is formed on the grass in the morning. Have you ever wondered where those glistening droplets clinging on to the blades of grass come from?

Water vapour is water in gaseous form. There is a lot of water vapour in the air. Warm air can hold more water vapour than cool air. At night, leaves, grass and stones cool more quickly than the air. Air passing over these cool objects gets cooled and then as it can no longer hold as much moisture as it could when it was warm, some of the water vapour leaves the air to form dew drops. Dew is this natural form of water that's transformed through the process of condensation. Dew point is the temperature at which this happens.

Dew usually forms on surfaces that are not warmed by the heat coming off from the ground. This explains why we see the drops on stones, grass, leaves and even car roofs. As the evening turns colder, there is a chance that dew freezes to form frost.

Did you know that some species of plants depend on dew for their survival? Check out pine seedlings and lichens if you happen to visit a desert.

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Most of the oxygen we breathe comes from the ocean. The ocean produces 70% of earth's oxygen through the plants (phytoplankton, kelp and algal plankton) that live in it. These plants produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis, a process which converts carbon dioxide and sunlight into sugars the organism can use for energy. One type of phytoplankton, Prochlorococcus, releases countless tons of oxygen into the atmosphere. It is so small that millions can fit in a drop of water. Prochlorococcus has achieved fame as perhaps the most abundant photosynthetic organism on the planet. (World Oceans Day is on 8 June)

In the lab, scientists can determine how much oxygen is produced by a single phytoplankton cell. The hard part is figuring out the total number of these microscopic plants throughout Earth’s oceans. Phytoplankton wax and wane with the seasons. Phytoplankton blooms happen in spring when there’s more available light and nutrients.

And the density of phytoplankton varies. They sometimes float just at the surface. At other times and places they can be a hundred meters – about 100 yards – thick.

By the way, by about 400 million years ago, scientists say, enough oxygen had accumulated in Earth’s atmosphere for the evolution of air-breathing land animals. But free oxygen by itself wasn’t enough. Another form of oxygen was also essential: the build-up of a special kind of oxygen at the top of Earth’s atmosphere. There, where three atoms of oxygen bonded together, ozone formed. This layer of ozone at the top of Earth’s atmosphere shields land organisms from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Credit : Earth Sky 

Picture Credit : Google