White-nose syndrome predicted to drastically impact hibernating bat species in the West — ScienceDaily
A four-year study recently published in Ecology and Evolution concludes that the fungal disease, white-nose syndrome, poses a severe threat to many western North American bats. Since it was first detected in 2006, white-nose syndrome has killed millions of bats in eastern and central North America. The spread of the fungal pathogen that causes white-nose […]
Scientists discover new ‘spectacular’ bat from West Africa
Myotis nimbaensis, shown here, is a new species of bat named for the mountain range in which it is found, the Nimba Mountains in West Africa. Credit: © Bat Conservation International A group of scientists led by the American Museum of Natural History and Bat Conservation International have discovered a new species of a striking […]
New study reveals how fences hinder migratory wildlife in the West
Wildlife biologists at the University of California, Berkeley, combined GPS location data of tagged mule deer and pronghorn antelope with satellite imagery of Wyoming fences to find out just how often these animals encounter fences, and what happens when they do. As part of the study, the researchers created a software package that uses GPS […]
How wild was the Wild West?
Anyone who has ever watched a Western knows all about how “wild” life was back then. Damsels in distress were tied to railroads, cowboys’ cattle were rustled and the sheriff was usually a slacker with scant interest in enforcing what little law existed. In short, you risked getting lassoed into a gunfight every time you […]
Ocean heatwave has triggered new toxic algal blooms on the US west coast
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Fishermen, swimmers and seafood enthusiasts may already know the dangers of “red tides,” but a recent study in Frontiers in Climate shows that climate change is increasing the frequency of one type of highly toxic algal bloom off the US west coast. These algae produce a neurotoxin—called domoic acid—that causes severe […]
“Thirstier” Atmosphere Will Increase Wildfire Risk out West
Recent years have seen the largest, most destructive wildfires on record in California. Accompanying these extreme events have been extreme levels of evaporative demand—the degree to which the atmosphere “wants” to evaporate water from plants and the ground, regardless of how much water is available. A new analysis of global climate model simulations […]
In fire-prone West, plants need their pollinators — and vice versa — ScienceDaily
2020 is the worst fire year on record in the United States, with nearly 13 million acres burned, 14,000 structures destroyed and an estimated $3 billion spent on fire suppression — and counting. At the same time, certain land managers have invested huge amounts of time and resources toward restoring fire through “controlled burn” approaches. […]
New migration maps serve as tools to help big game in West
Credit: CC0 Public Domain The life-or-death journey made by mule deer during the second-longest big game migration in North America came down to their ability to squeeze through a fence—a discovery made by scientists using wildlife GPS tracking techniques to map animal migrations in the West in unprecedented detail. The resulting atlas of migration corridors […]
In fire-prone West, plants need their pollinators — and vice versa
IMAGE: Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) blooms in Yellowstone National Park, Montana. New research highlights the importance of plant-pollinator interactions in restoring ecosystems in which natural wildfire regimes have been altered or suppressed… view more Credit: Jonathan Myers, Washington University in St. Louis 2020 is the worst fire year on record in the United States, with nearly 13 […]
Wildfires Threaten West Coast’s Seismic Network
As climate change increases the threat of wildfires, U.S. states are battling historic blazes. On the West Coast, the fires have put at risk several hundred seismic stations tasked with protecting citizens from earthquakes—nonseasonal but ever present scourges. The network of seismic stations inform ShakeAlert, an earthquake early-warning system designed to give people […]
