Living Carbon’s Post

Settle the debate, fireflies or lightning bugs? 💡🦗 Turns out they are the same exact insect, but the different terms are the result of regional dialects. There are more than 2,000 species of fireflies. This natural phenomenon is called bioluminescence, and the bioluminescent organs in fireflies are found on the underside of the abdomen; creating a chemical reaction within the firefly’s light organ that produces the light. Bioluminescence in fireflies is nearly 100 percent efficient, making it one of the most efficient lights in the world. What could we learn from these energy-efficient flying beetles? #wildlife #nature #firefly #funfacts #beetles

Leaves may not seem impressive, but they're the busiest parts of a tree. You may know that leaves feed a tree by creating sugars through photosynthesis. They also capture carbon, release oxygen into the atmosphere, and help move water up from the tree roots. Their unique shape also allows us to identify tree species. Subtle differences enable exact identification. If you'd like to explore more facts about trees and share them with your students, request a Truth About Trees Kit - https://bit.ly/RequestAKit. #teacherTuesday #truthabouttrees #teachers

An elephant ambles through a forest 🌳 - what is it to you? An iconic and charismatic creature that we gaze upon? Or more than that? What is the 'whale pump' and the 'whale conveyor belt' 🐳? All these questions are answered in Will Railton's recent blog, exploring how we can seek to understand the full value of nature. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/etTzp9yq #Nature #Biodiversity #EcosystemServices #EcosystemEngineers #Whales #Elephants

Invertebrates are an important component of our forests and woodlands: sadly they are often overlooked. https://lnkd.in/ezxGzm-t

As evidence mounts for remarkable cognitive abilities in various species, from crows crafting tools to octopuses solving puzzles, we question if animals are more than survival-driven beings. What if their minds harbor complexities beyond our understanding? See this article by Nat Geo: https://lnkd.in/dywsC4T4 We share our world with many creatures, big and small. Some we love, some we fear, and others we might not think about. These connections raise important questions about what it means to be human. How should we live alongside our fellow beings in this big, diverse world? Low and Gleeson (1998) urge us to think differently about our connection to nature. They say we need to be fair in how we share our environment with others and treat the world around us. Their idea of ecological justice means everyone, including animals and plants, should have the right to live their own lives fully. 🌍🌱 #JungleJanuary #CoexistingwithNature #biodiversitystories

Often, during the #festiveseason , we enjoy nature and game drives but forget whether or not we’re harming the habitat. This video is a snapshot of innocent human-wildlife conflict, with people on one side and animals on the other, blocking each other’s way. Needless to say, the rhinos had the right of way, but the vans will do their best to either disturb the animals with their excitement and photography, or try to find a way of crossing, yet, a healthy ecosystem coexistence is vital for nature’s preservation. That’s why the UN implemented the 2050 #biodiversity Vision. And out #studyabroad program teaches these complexities and more toward the same goal of a sustainable future. Check out our website for more: https://lnkd.in/dAANBryU

#Plastic #StormwaterManagement #Newfoundland #StJohn #NortheastAvalonAtlanticCoastalActionrogram #NAACAP #DepartmentOfFisheriesAndOceans #DFO #EnvironmentAndClimateChangeCanada #ECCC #ENVIROPOD #LittaTrap The Northeast Avalon Atlantic Coastal Action Program (NAACAP), in conjunction with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), sought to understand the spatial and seasonal variability of macro-plastics better. Building upon previous waste diversion and reduction initiatives, NAACAP approached macro-plastic accumulation using a characterisation and quantification analysis method for trash caught in a LittaTrap™ at selected sites. The investigative study was carried out over six months in St John, NL, where all storm drains flow directly into the sea. Methodology Monitoring sites were selected at 38 locations throughout Downtown St John's. LittaTrap™ were installed in 30 of the 38 selected sites in May 2021. Eight of the selected sites were unsuitable for an installation where construction was blocking access, for example. Audits were carried out once a month over a six-month period. Intermittent inaccessibility occurred throughout the study for reasons such as parked cars or stuck drain covers.  Results By count, cigarette butts were the most significant contributor to macro-plastics entering the ocean via storm drains in the study area, Downtown St John's. Cigarette butts comprised almost 75% of litter that was counted and characterised during the June and July Audits. A total of 4,135 cigarette butts were collected from 20 LittaTraps™ for those two months. The total litter count for June and July was 5,622. Soft plastics made up almost 10%, food wrappers and 'other' made up between 5% and 7%, hard plastics and paper made up approximately 2.5% each Conclusions Business types significantly affected the amount and type of litter entering storm drains in the study area, Downtown St Johns providing some evidence and reasoning for spatial variability of macro-plastic accumulation. With the emphasis on cigarette butts, LittaTrap™ sites near pubs, nightclubs, taxi stands, and food places appeared to be the most significant macro-plastic contributors compared to LittaTrap™ areas near accommodation or retail businesses. A total of 248.84kg of litter debris did not enter the ocean from May to November 2021 as a result of this study. This result shows that LittaTrap™ is an effective at-source treatment in preventing macro-plastic accumulation in our oceans. The city of St John's is looking to employ long-term use of LittaTrap™ as a result of the study and have recommended it to municipal regulatory bodies. ..."

An elephant ambles through a forest 🌳 - what is it to you? An iconic and charismatic creature that we gaze upon? Or more than that? What is the 'whale pump' and the 'whale conveyor belt' 🐳? All these questions are answered in @Will Railton's recent blog, exploring how we can seek to understand the full value of nature. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/etTzp9yq #Nature #Biodiversity #EcosystemServices #EcosystemEngineers #Whales #Elephants

The Power of Camouflage: Nature’s Silent Survival Strategy in Insects Insects are true masters of survival, and one of their most fascinating adaptations is camouflage behavior. From blending seamlessly into leaves to mimicking tree bark, insects use camouflage not just for concealment but as an intricate dance with their environment. 🔍 Why is this important? Camouflage is critical for survival. It helps insects: Avoid predators by making them nearly invisible in their surroundings. Hunt effectively by allowing them to ambush prey without being detected. Conserve energy as they remain still and hidden, rather than expending effort fleeing from threats. For example, the leaf katydid looks exactly like a leaf, while the stick insect can easily be mistaken for twigs or branches. These adaptations enable them to thrive in ecosystems where visibility could mean the difference between life and death. #Camouflage #Nature #Insects #Adaptation #Wildlife #Biodiversity #Survival

Nature is black and white Part 5 video. Go watch Parts 1 to 4. #nature #earth #biodiversity #naturephotography #naturevideo