IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach’s Post

From Space to Saving Species: How Conservation X Labs' AI-powered Sentinel and #EarthRanger are helping to accelerate conservation https://bit.ly/4aE5Uyk /// #Tech4Widlife #AI4Good

We are excited to launch our LinkedIn page and share groundbreaking research from the Instituto de Ecología at UNAM. Our distinguished biologist, ecologist and conservationist, Dr. Gerardo Ceballos, featured on CBS's "60 Minutes," sheds light on an urgent issue: the Earth's sixth mass extinction. In this compelling segment, Dr. Ceballos discusses the alarming rate at which species are disappearing and emphasizes the importance of immediate action to conserve biodiversity. His research, highlighted in the "60 Minutes" episode, reveals that human activities are driving species extinction at an unprecedented pace. 🔗 Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gbcBDEiD Dr. Ceballos's work is a powerful reminder of the critical role that science plays in understanding and mitigating environmental crises. We are proud to support his efforts and to be at the forefront of ecological research and conservation. Stay connected with us for more updates on our projects and initiatives aimed at preserving our planet's biodiversity. #Ecology #Conservation #Biodiversity #MassExtinction #GerardoCeballos #InstitutoDeEcologíaUNAM #UNAM #Science #Research #EnvironmentalAwareness

🌊 One Health submarine good practice : Posidonia in French Mediterranean sea 🌿Forming underwater meadows, Posidonia creates essential living habitats for thousands of marine species and endemic ones. Plants flourishing for 70 to 100 million years enduring various climatic extremes since the time of dinosaurs. However, their future now faces unprecedented jeopardy. 🤲 Cities are working strongly to protect Posidonia and underwater biodiversity with actions of ecological restoration with replanting to accelerate the natural resilience of the Posidonia meadow. ➡️ For more informations, here are some examples of European cities : https://lnkd.in/dbW8af_X #OneHealth #OneHealth4Cities #Biodiversity #PlanetaryHealth #Posidonia Office français de la biodiversité WWF MedPAN European Environment Agency IUCN IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation European Marine Board IVZW LIFE Programme GIS POSIDONIE 

Everyone has heard the terms "non-native" and "invasive", and some use them interchangeably. The truth is: all invasives are non-native but not all non-natives are necessarily considered invasive. So, what's the difference? It all boils down to the impact on the ecosystem in which the non-native species are introduced. Non-native bridge into the invasive category when their existence in the ecosystem either starts having a negative effect on the environment or on the humans that depend on the ecosystem. The hard truth is it is nearly impossible to predict the impact an alien species will have on an ecosystem. The effects are not typically measured until the non-native species has established itself in the new environment, and by that time it is commonly impossible to eradicate the new species. This is why in general; it is best to avoid introducing alien species to a new environment. It is in our best interest to make sure we don't have "hitchhikers" when we are venturing into our favorite nature sites. You can help by learning about invasive species threatening your area and take steps to avoid transporting these unwanted hitchhikers. #invasivespecies #quagga #education #recreation #nisaw

Our AI tool SurfPerch uses sounds to monitor coral reef health. 🪸 Trained with help from citizen scientists through Google Arts & Culture’s Calling in Our Corals initiative, it can analyze underwater audio to quickly assess reef biodiversity - even surveying them at night and in murky waters. This is helping marine biologists gain valuable insights into these ecosystems and how they’re responding to restoration efforts. Here’s how AI is helping coral reef conservation ↓ https://dpmd.ai/45l4Lur

Over the past few decades, scientists have been investigating how and why collisions between animals and wind turbines occur, through in-depth studies into bird and bat ecology and how the creatures sense obstacles in their path. In doing so, the scientists have discovered a number of methods to prevent the animals from crashing into wind turbines — ranging from simple fixes like limiting the activity of turbines to refining their design. If implemented widely, these solutions might allow wind turbines to peacefully coexist with airborne wildlife. 💡 Learn more in Knowable Magazine https://lnkd.in/gUX7F9Tg 💡 Lea en español en Knowable en español https://lnkd.in/gJ8DGBFA

This is the bright-side of AI! It's inspiring to see AI technology being applied to environmental conservation 🌿🤖. Tools like this demonstrate the incredible potential of AI to support scientific research and protect our natural world 🌎. If more tech innovations were directed towards environmental causes, we could make significant strides in understanding and preserving ecosystems 🐠🌊. This application of AI for coral reef monitoring is a prime example of how technology can be a powerful ally in our efforts to safeguard the planet 🏝️. Let's hope this trend continues, with more AI solutions being developed to address pressing environmental challenges 🌱💡." #AIforGood #EnvironmentalTech #CoralConservation #EcoInnovation #GreenAI #SustainableTech #OceanProtection #TechForNature #GoogleDeepMind

Vulnerable fishes, inattentive humans: a clear case of conservation bias. A comprehensive analysis of 2048 species of reef fishes reveals the shortcomings of human interest: The most at-risk species generally receive the least attention. By far, the strongest predictor of interest was a species’ geographic range. The second and third most important predictors of PUBLIC attention, in contrast, were a quantitative indicator of human aesthetic preference and use in the aquarium trade. Interestingly, as the authors note, the same may not be true of human attention to other taxa. The birding community fir example is notorious for their all-consuming passion, including zeal for rare and unconventionally beautiful species. https://lnkd.in/eak7hABg

New research from Australia suggests that whales love 'kelping’! Scientists studied whale behavior off the coasts of Alaska and other areas of the USA, Canada, Australia, and French Polynesia.  Analyzing footage of more than 160 whale interactions amongst 4 species, they found that kelping strengthened social bonds and whales use seaweed as a body scrub. Four species of whales classified as baleen whales especially loved putting kelp on their heads. Scientists surmise that because these whales have a cluster of nerve endings on their heads, the seaweed gives them a really nice sensation. Additionally, they have a bristly whalebone at their mouth instead of teeth and seaweed can be used as a natural toothbrush because their mouth is hard to clean. Plus, whales use kelping as a social activity, sharing and gathering kelp together. And it's particularly exciting because seaweed's positive impact on whales' wellbeing can help with conservation efforts! Learn more about whale 'kelping': https://bit.ly/4agM7Gc Picture By: @newsouthwhalesoz (IG) #Seaweed #GoodNews #OceanOptimism

https://lnkd.in/ddibDebA The article explores underwater forests' ecological significance and challenges, particularly in Western Australia. In Shark Bay, seagrass meadows provide habitat for diverse marine life, including the endangered dugong. Further south, the Great Southern Reef harbours kelp forests, which are crucial for marine biodiversity and carbon storage. However, rising sea temperatures, pollution, and human activities threaten these ecosystems. Removing and conserving underwater forests involves collaborations between scientists, Indigenous communities, and government initiatives. For instance, Shark Bay and Queensland initiatives aim to replant seagrasses and improve nursery facilities. Scientists are not sitting idly by in the face of these challenges. They are actively researching and implementing innovative resilience strategies. These include transplanting heat-resistant plants, breeding corals for temperature resistance, and cultivating heat-evolved algae. However, it's not just about finding solutions. Ethical considerations and holistic ecosystem management are also at the forefront of these efforts, ensuring that the solutions do not create unintended consequences. Despite restoration efforts, challenges persist, especially with declining kelp forests. Scientists are exploring assisted migration strategies to relocate heat-tolerant seaweeds southward. The article underscores the vital role of underwater forests in carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and marine habitat preservation. Collaboration between diverse stakeholders is crucial for effective conservation, and it emphasises the importance of traditional knowledge alongside scientific expertise. #SeaForests #MarineScience #BlueCarbon #SharkBay #Seagrass #GreatSouthernReef #Seaweed #WesternAustralia #AIMS #OceanBlocks #ReefScience