Climategames’ Post

🌲🐿️ It’s #FocalSpeciesFriday and today we’re paying homage to the Western Gray Squirrel, which is an endangered species, easily recognizable by their large body and tail size - did you know that a Western Gray Squirrel can be nearly 24 inches long from snout to tail? They’re not just adorable forest dwellers—they play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. These agile creatures help with seed dispersal, ensuring the growth of diverse plant species. However, wildfires pose a significant threat to their habitats, destroying food sources and nesting sites. As wildfires become more frequent and intense, the survival of western gray squirrels is increasingly at risk. Protecting these squirrels means safeguarding the rich biodiversity of our forests. 🌿🔥 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ecCqiZFM #EndangeredSpecies #WildlifeConservation #WesternGraySquirrels #EcosystemHealth #WildfireImpact #ForestResilience

🌿 The Power of Keystone Species in Our Ecosystems 🐺 Keystone species play a critical role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems. These species have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their abundance. 🦁🌾 Here are a few key examples: Wolves in Yellowstone: The reintroduction of wolves has transformed the ecosystem, controlling elk populations and allowing vegetation and other wildlife to thrive. Beavers: Known as nature’s engineers, beavers create wetlands that provide habitat for countless species and improve water quality. Sea Otters: By preying on sea urchins, sea otters protect kelp forests, which are vital underwater ecosystems. Without keystone species, ecosystems can become unbalanced, leading to cascading effects on other species and the environment. It's crucial to protect these vital organisms to ensure the health and stability of our natural world. 🌍💚 #KeystoneSpecies #Biodiversity #Ecosystem #WildlifeConservation #NatureMatters #ProtectOurPlanet #EnvironmentalAwareness #Wildlife #ConservationHeroes #NatureBalance

🎥🦌The presence (or absence) of large carnivores, such as #wolves, #lynxes or #bears, significantly influences the behavior and distribution of prey species like deer. When large carnivores are present, prey animals often adjust their foraging patterns, movement, and habitat use to avoid predation risks. This natural “fear factor” helps maintain a balanced ecosystem by reducing overgrazing in specific areas, allowing vegetation to recover and promoting biodiversity. 🌳 In regions where top predators are missing, however, prey species may become more abundant or over-browse certain areas, disrupting the delicate balance of forest ecosystems. Reintroducing or protecting large carnivores can restore these natural processes and enhance overall ecosystem health. Let’s remember that conservation is not just about saving individual species, but also about understanding and preserving the intricate relationships that sustain our natural world.🐺🌍 #biodiversityconservation #wildlife

Thoughtful & wise advice

Dead #trees are crucial to forest #ecosystems, supporting #biodiversity and aiding regeneration. They host species like beetles, fungi, and bats, which depend on decaying wood. David Lindenmayer emphasizes their role in carbon storage, habitats, and nutrient recycling. "Snags" or fallen logs attract fungi that break down lignin, creating habitats for insects, amphibians, and birds. Over 1,200 U.S. wildlife species rely on dead trees, and removing them threatens many organisms. Forest management now focuses on preserving deadwood to support biodiversity and nutrient cycling. However, dead trees near roads or playgrounds may need removal for safety. While dead trees in private yards offer limited benefits, they are more impactful in forests. The debate on wildfire risk continues, but deadwood is generally less likely to ignite than smaller debris. https://lnkd.in/dXu2HH7N

Spotlight on the sunflower sea star! These massive, multi-armed sea stars are predators of sea urchins, which helps in controlling overgrazing of kelp. Sadly, they’re a threatened species due to sea star wasting disease which initially started in 2013. There is still more research needed to know exactly why this happened and is still happening. Without predators like the sunflower sea star to help maintain balance, the kelp forest ecosystem suffers. Let's conserve these habitats and the life they support! #ocean #wildlife #scuba #climatechange #climateaction #biodiversity #environment #wildlifephotography

💯⚡Birds have diverse lifespans; small birds may live a few years, while larger species like parrots or eagles can live decades. The average lifespan varies among species, influenced by factors such as size, habitat, and predation risk. 💯💫Birds do need water for survival. They obtain it from various sources such as lakes, rivers, puddles, or even through their food. It's essential for their overall health and functioning. Indeed, the life of birds is crucial for 💪💪maintaining ecological balance. Birds play key roles in pollination, seed dispersal, and insect control, contributing to the health of ecosystems. Conservation efforts are essential to ensure their survival and the well-being of the environment. #bridslife #brightfuture #skilldevelopment follow @Asim shehzad

Protect insects, protect birds 🦅 It's World Migratory Bird Day and our feathered friends are taking center stage. Birds rely heavily on insects for energy during their epic migrations. With insect populations declining, long journeys and breeding success of migratory birds are at risk.   It’s not just the birds that suffer—our ecosystems do too. Birds help keep insect populations in check and even play a role in pollination. It’s important to strengthen the ecological network birds and insects depend on. The #ZurichForest Project, a collaboration with Instituto Terra, is not just about bringing back a forest but also about supporting and nurturing a whole ecosystem that flourishes and thrives, including insects and birds.   Learn more about #BiodiversityRestoration here ➡️🔗https://lnkd.in/ex4NZCwy   #WMBD2024

🤔 Why is natural grazing important? 🐃🦌 The answer to this question can be seen in a wonderful photo from Ermakiv Island by Oleksandr Gaidash, a field officer on our team. 🐎 Wild horses, while grazing, create meadows that attract many birds, such as the pictured glossy ibis, as well as insects, amphibians, and other animals. This also provides space for a variety of plants to grow, including rare species. Fish spawn and feed here. 🐸🐟🌱 Currently, natural meadows are becoming fewer because regulated water systems are overgrown with reeds, and large herbivores have almost disappeared in the wild. Thus, natural grazing is very important for restoring ecosystems and maintaining high biodiversity. Learn more about natural grazing and other rewilding approaches 👉 https://lnkd.in/em2MiUAH #WilderNature #NaturalGrazing #WildHorses #WildlifeComeback

👀Meet the arrow-shaped plant of the Danube River! 🌿 The Sagittaria sagittifolia, also known as the Arrowhead, is a versatile wetland wonder thriving along the Danube and other major rivers in Europe and western Asia. 🌍 Adapted to fluctuating conditions, its name comes from the distinct arrowhead-shaped leaves. They give life to a very attractive pure white flower with a dark purple center, blooming from June to August. 🌼 Despite its adaptive prowess, this species faces endangerment due to habitat loss from river regulation. Classified as endangered, it enjoys protection in some countries. 🚨 This semi-aquatic plant plays a crucial role in wetland ecosystems, tolerating water level fluctuations, producing starchy tubers, and contributing to the delicate balance of these habitats. 🌱 Advocating for the preservation of the native Sagittaria sagittifolia is vital for sustaining this unique plant and safeguarding the biodiversity of wetland environments. 🌿 Image Source: donauauen.at 📸 #EUMissions #danubelighthouse #SustainableBlueEconomy #discoveringdanube #MissionOcean #SustainableFuture #natureconservation #wildlife