National Wildlife Federation’s Post

#snsinstitution #snsdesignthinkers #snsdesignthinking In general, blue whale populations migrate between their summer feeding areas near the poles and their winter breeding grounds near the tropics. There is also evidence of year-round residencies, and partial or age/sex-based migration. Blue whales are filter feeders; their diet consists almost exclusively of krill. They are generally solitary or gather in small groups, and have no well-defined social structure other than mother-calf bonds. The fundamental frequency for blue whale vocalizations ranges from 8 to 25 Hz and the production of vocalizations may vary by region, season, behavior, and time of day. Orcas are their only natural predators. The blue whale was once abundant in nearly all the Earth's oceans until the end of the 19th century. It was hunted almost to the point of extinction by whalers until the International Whaling Commission banned all blue whale hunting in 1966. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed blue whales as Endangered as of 2018. It continues to face numerous man-made threats such as ship strikes, pollution, ocean noise, and climate change.

A sobering indictment on the state of New Zealand avifauna. The threat classification system (IUCN) that is used is based on risk of extinction. Species at the level of critically endangered, endangered are heading for extinction. Many of these species are categorised as "conservation dependent;" only surviving with intense management. New Zealand's birds are especially important for providing ecosystem services such as pollination and seed dispersal. Many of the birds have co-evolved with endemic plants. Birds are not just nice to have.

Biodiversity reminders, day #68🌍🗓❗️ Black rhino Status: critically endangered Main threat: illegal hunting (for horn trade to SE Asia, various uses), wars Every day this year, I'll post an endangered species, to create awareness of what exactly we have to lose. ❗ #climate #climateaction #biodiversity #endangeredspecies #plants #animals #extinction #thetimeisnow

Wetlands sustain life. 🌱🦆 They provide homes for many endangered species and offer a lifeline for freshwater species. Many endemic species are found only in specific wetland areas. ➡ https://lnkd.in/grFmSzn #WWD2024 #WetlandsandHumanWellbeing

Updated List Of Endangered Fish Sturgeon fish, ancient and prized for their caviar, are now teetering on the brink of extinction. Their struggle for survival is not just a blow to nature, but also to businesses that rely on them. Sharks, too, are facing a similar fate, hunted relentlessly for their fins. And let's not forget the red hand fish, or frogfish, a unique species confined to two tiny populations in Tasmania. These are just a few examples of the many fish species that are endangered, a sobering reminder of the delicate balance of our ecosystem. Share this video if you care about preserving our endangered fish species! #ClimateChange #EndangeredFish #Overfishing

This is SOUTHERN GROUND HORNBILL Aka Arum Tidi in luo language. This bird is one of the bird species expected to go extinct by end of this century.The bird's classification as endangered is heavily tied to its slow reproductive rates. Habitat loss, changes due to the agriculture, deforestation, electrocution from power lines, accidental poisoning, and persecution are the major factors that affect their populations. In several cultures, the southern ground hornbill is associated with death and unluckiness. Broadly speaking, some view them as a sign, or bringer, of death, destruction, loss, and deprivation. Most people persecute them or hunt them whenever they see them. Out of our imaginations, humans are hunting innocent creatures into extinction. With less than 5000 birds of this species left only in Africa, the natural world will soon loose another bird species to Abyss of extinction.

While wildflowers brighten our landscapes, #invasive species pose a significant threat to native flora. Take the purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), for example, which was introduced to the United States from Europe and Asia. This attractive yet aggressive plant quickly overtakes #wetlands, outcompeting native wildflowers and disrupting local #ecosystems. It’s crucial to support #biodiversity by planting native species and staying informed about the impacts of invasive plants. #NationalWildflowerWeek

❓ Did You Know ❓ 🦇 Bats are not just insectivores; some species are essential pollinators and seed dispersers. Here in SA 🇿🇦, fruit bats (also known as flying foxes), pollinate various plants like baobabs and agaves. By doing so, they help maintain healthy ecosystems and support biodiversity. Additionally, they disperse seeds over large distances, facilitating forest regeneration and growth. 🌲 🌲 🌲 Recognising and safeguarding the importance of bats can lead to more robust and resilient natural environments. ♻️ #batfacts #bats #naturalpestcontrol #protectbats #ecofriendlypestcontrol #integratedpestmanagement #smartsenzipm

During my biosphere lessons last week, I was quite captivated by this small example about the wolf. It reminds us, humans, that there is still much that we do not know about the relationships found in nature. The wolf is a so-called keystone species in the Yellowstone NP. 1930: Wolves eliminated -> Elks moved less around -> Less mobile elks overgrazed willow and aspen -> Only severity of winter determined how many elk carcasses -> Less reliable food sources for scavengers 1990: Wolves reintroduced: -> Wolf kills provided regular food for scavengers -> Scavengers and other predators like bears are happy 😃 -> Wolves aggressive towards coyotes -> Rodents and birds of prey are happy 😃 -> Elk more mobile and alert -> no more overgrazing -> Willow and aspen recovered -> 😃Happy Willow and aspen led to -> a) More songbirds 😃and less riverbank erosion -> b) Beaver colonies 😃re-established -> Aquatic biodiversity 😃benefited (research is ongoing into the wider ecosystem impacts of wolf reintroduction)

Valuable insights into the multiple and compounding threats facing the #spectacledflyingfox, and measures we can and surely must take to conserve this species. #bats #flyingfoxes #endangeredspecies #keystonespecies https://lnkd.in/get3VbEJ