Ecology Discussion Links:
The Oregonian notes from the AP that Suit argues to lift salmon protection. [OR, April 19, 2007] Property rights advocates, farm groups and development interests asked a federal judge Wednesday to lift Endangered Species Act protections from all threatened and endangered salmon across the West, arguing that the government failed to count fish spawned in hatcheries. The federal government maintains that relying on fish raised in hatcheries to boost salmon numbers will ultimately harm fish that spawn naturally in rivers.
The Seattle Times reports through McClatchy Newspapers that Endangered-species listing sought for U.S. beluga whales . [ST, April 21, 2007] The dwindling beluga whale population in Alaska's unique Cook Inlet could be extinct in 100 years, and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Services has proposed that it should be listed as an endangered species. Development groups and local governments have argued that restrictions on human activity in the inlet could cause big problems. Among the concerns: Gas and oil development, commercial fishing, a $340 million expansion of the Port of Anchorage and a proposed bridge. About 300 belugas remain in the inlet.
The Detroit News reports through an AP correspondent that a Lawsuit opens new front in battle over Great Lakes invaders. [DT, April 21, 2007] In response to a Michigan law that took effect this year, a shipping coalition recently sued in federal court saying the law makes unreasonable demands and violates the U.S. Constitution by restraining interstate commerce. Michigan maintains that many of the 183 invasive species known to inhabit the lakes arrived in ballast water dumped by oceangoing ships.
The Independent UK discusses the risk warning by international scientists of Fish contaminated with mercury 'pose worldwide threat to health'. [IUK, March 8, 2007] The warning results from five papers by mercury specialists summarizing the current state of knowledge on the chemical published in the international science journal Ambio. Subscription online articles can be accessed through Allen Press, and BioOne particularly BioOne Collections.
The Seattle Times describes the problems that Puget Sound, and in particular Hood Canal, is having with some non-native species of tunicate (sea squirt), The blob that's invading the Sound. [ST, February 20, 2007] These marine filter feeders, which are also commonly called ascidians, can be strong indicators of polluted waters. Gretchen and Charles Lambert's website, Seattle area experts on ascidians, is very informative. Wikipedia has additional information, pictures and reference links on sea squirts (ascidians).
The Seattle Times notes a federal appeals court ruled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act, Court: Logging plan a violation [ST, February 18, 2007], when it approved a 22,000-acre federal logging project that affects northern spotted owl habitat in southern Oregon.
USA Today hits some key marine water quality points in a study, due out February 15, in the journal Environmental Science and Technology (ES&T) about Damage of Exxon Valdez Endures [UT, February 2, 2007] indicating long-term effects on clams, mussels, Pacific herring, pigeon guillemots, sea otters, harlequin ducks, black oystercatchers and other species. See the ES&T article entitled Slightly Weathered Exxon Valdez Oil Persists in Gulf of Alaska Beach Sediments after 16 YearsEnvironmental Science and Technology [Vol. 41, No. 4, 2007; pp. 1245-1250].
The Christian Science Monitor reports on a risk-assessment technique in Ecologists must work faster [CSM, February 1, 2007]. Researchers seek quicker ways to assess the impact of land use on wildlife with global farming projected to double by midcentury.
Reuters indicates the journal Science is reporting Cool water surges could affect fish stocks [Reuters, February 2, 2007] because vertical currents in ocean waters may be altered due to global warming. The article entitled Rapid 20th-Century Increase in Coastal Upwelling off Northwest Africa [Science 2 February 2007: 637-639] is available on the Science website for a fee.
The Washington Post reports the U.S. Orders Modification of Klamath River Dams [WP, January 31, 2007] because of adverse effects on salmon resulting from barriers to fish passage.
The LEDE blog hooks up with articles and reports about global warming's potential effects on coral in Global Climate Panel’s First Report Looks Dire, but Wait for Part 2 [LEDE, January 30, 2007].
The Miami Herald says Audubon Report Faults Efforts to Restore Everglades [MH, January 18, 2007]. The report claims water managers are botching the effort to save Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades, but a Florida state spokesman said the criticism is old and wrong .
- Others to be Announced
P.O. Box 3678
Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-3678
Tel: 503 582-1558