Biodiversity Higher in the Tropics, but Species More Likely to Arise at Higher Latitudes

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/13112213245.htm

Researchers at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center in NC came to the same conclusion that a few studies before have as well. While we all know that areas near the equator host the most biodiversity, there seems to be some data suggesting we may be giving it too much credit. It's easy to picture the tropical rain forests, rich with a multitude of species. But this data, studying 2300 species of mammals and 6700 species of birds, suggests that there is a greater number of "subspecies" in the harsher environments of higher latitudes than the equator. A subspecies is a potential stepping stone in the process by which one species becomes two, and there are many reasons as to why it is possibly true that more exist in harsher conditions, as discussed in a study published in an issue of Molecular Ecology, which is also consistent with a study by the University of British Columbia.

Botero, a lead author of the NC study, makes the metaphor "comparing biodiversity in the temperate zones with that in the tropics" to "the coins in your pocket with the coins in your piggy bank...there are usually more coins in your piggy bank than in your pocket, but you're always spending the coins in your pocket, and receiving new coins in the from of change...the coins in your piggy bank turn over less often, but over time they add up". For me, that cleared up the situation and I thought it was a clever way of explaining it. This just goes to show that both the environment and scientific data are constantly changing, and there is most definitely something new to look into every day!

Largest Lake in Britain and Ireland Has Lost Three Quarters of Winter Water Birds

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131113080135.htm

This article talked about one of the many outcomes of climate change. Lough Neagh, the largest lake in Britain and Ireland, "has lost more than three quarters of its overwintering water birds". Queen's University Belfast researchers have published a study in the Freshwater Biology journal, noting the drastic drop in diving ducks from 100,000 to less than 21,000 in a time frame of only 10 years. Along with the results of climate change, the scientists fell a major factor in this was the fact that there was a 66% decline in the duck's food in the lake, like insects and snails. While they were losing food sources here, temperature in Northern Europe during this time were increasing by about 3.8 degrees Celcius, therefore decreasing any incentive whatsoever for the birds to migrate.

There are so many consequences of our actions as humans as far as our carbon footprints stand. Study after study, like this one, just proves the point that we have to change our ways because the environment is changing before our eyes and not always for the better. One change sets off a chain reaction, like the decrease in snails and insects in this one lake. How many more studies like this one need to be published before we see the real problem and get the world back to working the way it was before, naturally?

Power Boosting Self-Cleaning Solar Panels

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131121111806.htm

Global warming is a scary thing. The only comfort is in knowing that there are many scientists working on ways in which we can prevent it, or at least slow it down, and that there aren some little, yet significant changes being made. And example of this is the increase in use of solar paneling to conduct electricity. The only problems found with solar panels are that, being reflected, a lot of sunlight in fact is directed back toward the sky, rather than actually used efficiently for electric current. The other problem is that bird droppings and rain seem to keep the solar panels rather dirty. Well, as published in the International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, researchers have found some solutions.

First, a nanoscopic relief pattern can be added to the surface of photovoltai (solar) cells in order to make them non-reflected, therefore the amount of sunlight converted to electricity would increase. Second, scientists can use the lotus leaf as a model of a water repellant surface patter, making the plant hydrophobic. This can be applied to solar panels, making them somewhat self-cleaning, hoping that the bird droppings and rain will just slide off, like they do on the lotus leaf, rather than stick. I think it's great that solar panels exist and are in use, and even better that scientists are constantly looking for ways to make them even better and more marketable. In a perfect world, everything would be run by renewable energy sources like the sun, but increasing the efficiency of solar panels is certainly a step in the right direction!

Negative Effects of Road Noises on Migratory Birds

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131106113841.htm

It's no denying that building roads causes a decline in bird populations around the world. The question has always been: Is there one reason we can pinpoint? If we could find the main reason causing this, it would be possible for scientists and conservationists to help find an ecosystem that would be beneficial on all aspects, almost like a compromise. Well, this article suggests that researchers at Boise State University may have found the culprit: noise. While "disturbances, collisions, and chemical pollution" are all undoubtedly harmful to birds and other wildlife, the newest studies show that it's in fact that traffic noise that these species cannot coexist with. The study involved the creation of a "phantom road" with speakers, and the results shows that a quarter of the birds in the area declined and avoided the area when the speakers were playing traffic noises.

I found this article so interesting because it shows how much really does go into problem-solviing real world climate issues. We can't just get rid of every road in the world to save as many birds as we can. Instead, scientists were able to isolate the variable that we can change and that can make a difference without altering something entirely. There is always the possibility of finding a compromise, but it does usually take patience and experimentation to figure it out!