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01 / 05
Peregrine Falcon Populations Restored throughout the Midwest

The Gazette | Conservation & Biodiversity

Peregrine Falcon Populations Restored throughout the Midwest

“Falconers train birds of prey to hunt wild animals. But years ago, they were not allowed to own peregrine falcons in the U.S. The once widespread species was nearly eradicated from North America in the 20th century, reduced to just 39 pairs in the lower 48 states by 1979. Two subspecies were listed as federally endangered in 1970 before today’s Endangered Species Act even existed.”Falconers train birds of prey to hunt wild animals. But years ago, they were not allowed to own peregrine falcons in the U.S. The once widespread species was nearly eradicated from North America in the 20th century, reduced to just 39 pairs in the lower 48 states by 1979. Two subspecies were listed as federally endangered in 1970 before today’s Endangered Species Act even existed.

More than 50 years later, peregrine falcon populations are flourishing across the U.S. Even though they’re still listed as a species of special concern in Iowa, their local populations are stable. Their profound resurgence arose from decades of collaboration between falconers and researchers, two groups working toward the same goal: to save the species.”

From The Gazette.

BBC | Pollution

The T-Shirt Chewing Enzyme Ready to Tackle Plastic Waste

“Over eight years they re-engineered LCC – now LCCICCG – to become a trained PET specialist.

The enzyme is now so efficient that it can completely break the PET polymer down to its constituent monomers—the chemicals producers need to make new plastic.

Prof Marty likens it to breaking apart a pearl necklace.

‘We are using an enzyme that you can consider a molecular scissors,’ he says. ‘We break down the link between the pearls, liberate the pearls and in this way, after purification, we can sell these pearls again.'”

From BBC.

BBC | Conservation & Biodiversity

Blue Whales: Ocean Giants Return to “Safe” Tropical Haven

“Blue whales—the largest animals on Earth—are making their home in a part of the Indian Ocean where they were wiped out by whaling decades ago.

Researchers and filmmakers in the Seychelles captured footage of the whales in 2020 and 2021. It features in the Imax film Blue Whales 3D. But a year of underwater audio recording revealed the animals spend months in the region.

This means they could be breeding there, scientists say.”

From BBC.

Wall Street Journal | Conservation & Biodiversity

Florida’s Coral Reef Supports Fishing, Tourism, and Beaches

“Scientists like Enochs are working overtime to engineer more climate-resistant corals. They are creating booster shots to keep them alive, deploying in vitro fertilization to make larvae grow faster, and importing coral species from around the Caribbean to breed with those in Florida.”

From Wall Street Journal.

Telegraph | Environment & Pollution

Global Warming Might Not Happen as Fast as We Thought

“Plants will absorb 20 per cent more carbon dioxide than predicted by the end of the century, a new study has found, suggesting climate models are overestimating how fast the planet will warm.

Trinity College Dublin said its research painted an ‘uncharacteristically upbeat picture for the planet’ after finding models had failed to take into account all the elements of photosynthesis.”

From Telegraph.