The Maldives

The Maldives is a floating Nation that is in danger of losing its ability to float.

The nation of Maldives faces many environmental issues, not unlike almost every country in the world. If indeed the looming environmental crisis begins to take hold, no one is safe.

Brief History

Maldives is small and very unique. It is a nation made up of 1,200 islands spread across 510 miles of Indian ocean according to The Encyclopedia of Nations. 

It was a British protectorate until 1968, when it became a republic. Following its independence, President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated the political scene. he was elected to six consecutive terms as president. 

Following political demonstrations, in 2008 the first ever multi-party election was held. GAYOOM was defeated by political activists and marine scientist, Mohamed NASHEED. 

                            Former president Mohamed NASHEED. NASHEED is a marine scientist and political activist. NASHEED was forced to resign just 1 year after the elections. His Vice President was put in charge of the island nation.

ISSUES

The issues for Maldives are inherent. Since the country consist of Islands that are not especially high above sea level, any rise in sea level could be catastrophic. 80 percent of Maldivian land is 1 meter or less above sea level according to the world fact book.

Naturally the rising sea levels, due to recent global warming, is now threatening the livelihood of Maldivian citizens.

The Maldivian government is trying to secure a future for Maldives. The Hulumale project is an effort to raise Islands by 3 meters using sand, concrete, and shingles.

Scientists are also studying ways to re-grow coral. Coral reefs help to protect the Maldives by propping up the Islands. Due to rising sea levels, some of the reefs are being wiped out.

The sea levels are continuing to rise and Maldives is seeing first hand, the danger that future global warming can cause. 

Sources

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mv.html
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5476.htm
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Maldives-ENVIRONMENT.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7946072.stm

PICTURE COURTESY OF: http://www.mymaldives.com/blog/maldives-president-mohamed-nasheed-resigns/

Patagonia

So far we have focused on stories filled with doomsday scenarios and worst-case scenarios. For the sake of my sanity and yours, let us tell the story of Proyecto HidroAysén.

Patagonia, Chile, is home to a rich and natural environment. It is home to the Andes Mountains, rain forests, beautiful and free-flowing rivers, and various animals.

                                         The Marble Caves of Patagonia, Chile. Just one of the natural                                                                rarities in this area.  

Patagonia is a protected and untouched natural habitat. Recently, like many other sites we explored on this blog, it has faced destruction due to human growth and influence.

The HidroAysén was a proposed hydro-electric complex. The project would call for the construction of five plants, two on the Bater river and three on the Pascua River. The HidroAysén is a joint project with European energy company that will own a 51 percent stake to a 49 percent stake for Colbun SA, a Chilean company. Executives claim HidroAysén would reduce Chilean dependence on fossil fuels and provide energy to thousands of central Chileans, according to hidroaysén.cl.

                                          A Demonstration of Chilean citizens against HidroAysén.

According to NRDC.org,  the project would flood 14,000 acres of habitat and ranch land,displace families and disrupt national parks and reserves through the construction of transmission lines.

On June 10, The Chilean government rejected the proposal.

"This project has many aspects that were poorly though out," said Chilean Energy Minister Maximo Pacheco to the bbc.

With the loss of the project, supporters believe that Chileans lost the opportunity to wean off fossil fuels and become energy independent.

Sources
http://www.hidroaysen.cl/

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/chile-rejects-huge-hidroaysen-dam-patagonia

http://www.nrdc.org/international/patagonia/

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-27788286

The Great Barrier Reef

Known as one of the few living structures visible from space, the Great Barrier Reef is in danger of losing some of that visibility.

The Great Barrier Reef is an ecological system that stretches almost 1,800 miles across the Australian coast, according to greatbarrierreef.org.

The GBR is home to thousands of living organisms, including some endangered species such as the  large green sea turtle and the dugong or sea cow.

    A satellite image of the Great Barrier reef from outer space. The GBR is one of the only living             structures visible from space.  

As we have discussed in previous entries this natural wonder is at odds with current human and economic development, which may have been triggered by the rapid speed of global warming. This seems to be a continuing theme throughout the investigation of disappearing wonders on earth.

The dangers that face the reef are many. Coral bleaching is a main concern facing this historic natural wonder.

Before we understand coral bleaching, we must take a look at corals.

A coral is actually classified as an animal and not a plant. The only reason why this animal, which holds many characteristics of a plant, is classified as such is because it cannot produce its own food. Instead the coral has tiny, tentacle like arms that capture microorganisms for food.

Beside the act of hunting, a coral looks and acts like a plant. It takes root on a rock or hard surface much like a plant does. It lacks the physical features of an animal however.

Most coral contain algae called zooxanthellae. This algae plays a critical role in the survival of the coral. While the coral provides the algae with food from its waste, the algae provides the coral with oxygen and waste removal.

Because of rising sea levels and temperatures, zooxanthellae find it more difficult to survive, thus interrupting the relationship. Coral bleaching occurs when the algae inside the corals are killed, and the coral begins to turn white. This death is often caused by an extreme rise in temperature.

Sources:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2013/05/16/disappearing-wonders-10-world-heritage-sites-in-danger/2163883/

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/

http://www.greatbarrierreef.org/

http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/saving_the_natural_world/oceans_and_marine/priority_ocean_places/great_barrier_reef/

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/154

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/explorer-pleads-to-save-the-great-barrier-reef/

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral.html

[De] Forest [Station]

Deforestation

Deforestation can be caused by a number of reasons, natural and unnatural. 

Deforestation is defined as "the action or process of clearing of forests." (Merriam-Webster.com) One of the main reasons used to clear natural forest land is for agricultural purposes. Farmers will clear forest land to expand land for farming and grazing. 

The process of deforestation can have many effects on the environment and natural habitats for the species living in the forests. It is estimated that 70 percent of all land animals and plants live in forests according to National Geographic.com. 

The process of deforestation can have a profound effect on the natural inhabitants of the area. A study done by Kenneth Feely, published for the Global Change Biology journal, states that Amazonia,  which makes up half of the total global tropical forest area, had lost 15 percent of total forest cover by 2002.The report also estimated that, "By 2050, The loss of habitat area is predicted to increase to 26 percent or 47 percent under simulated progressions of increased governance (GOV) or business-as-usual (BAU) deforestation, respectively (Soares-Filho et al., 2006). ("Global Change Biology", 2012, 18, pg. 2,637)

                                        An  off-putting example of deforestation. 

At one point during the preagricultural period, forests covered up to 50 percent of Earth's land ("World at Risk" 241).  That number was down to 30 percent in 2007 according to the "State of the World's Forest" report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 

As of 2010, the number has risen to 31 percent according to earth-policy.org.This rise can be attributed to forest preservation efforts and replanting initiatives. 

Sources

http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0773e/a0773e00.htm

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation-overview/

http://www.earth-policy.org/indicators/C56

http://www.greenfacts.org/en/forests/l-2/2-extent-deforestation.htm

"World at Risk: Second Edition, CQ Press, Chapter 11, "Deforestation."

" Feely, Kenneth J., "Global change biology" journal, "The relative importance of   deforestation, precipitation change, and temperature sensitivity in determining the future distributions and diversity of Amazonian plant species."

The Dead (Dying) Sea

The Dead Sea is one of the most iconic bodies of water in human history. Predictably, it is in danger of disappearing from the earth completely.



People will remember the Dead Sea for two reasons: The Dead Sea Scrolls and the amount of salt contained in the water. It is also the lowest elevated body of water on earth. The Dead Sea lies 1300 feet below sea level.



Also referred to as the "Salt Sea," the body of water contains no forms of life except for bacteria. Often times fish get carried into the Dead Sea from the Jordan river and are killed almost immediately.

                     Thousands of people, tourists and local citizens, use the Dead Sea as a natural                                       spa.

The Dead Sea is an important part of  the middle-eastern economic and religious culture. Both Jewish and Christian religions revere the Dead Sea. It is also used as a main tourist attraction due to its high buoyancy due to the Dead Seas saline levels. Human beings are able to effortlessly float in the sea. 

But with all of its attraction, the sea is slowly draining. According to a Smithsonian.com article that chronicled the Dead Sea decline, the sea has shrunk from 50 miles long in 1950 to 30 miles long today.



Environmentalists blame Israeli and Jordanian companies that use the Dead Sea to extract Potash, a raw component used in fertilizer.  Since the Dead Sea borders both Jordan and Israel, it is used by both companies for economic purposes.



The Dead Sea is 'fed' by a number of fresh water sources. A combination of Israel, Jordan, and Syria siphon enough water from the surrounding bodies of water that feed the Dead Sea to cause it to dry up.


The rivers Jordan, Karmut, and Lake Kinneret are all sources of water for the Dead Sea. these three bodies of water are all heavily used by Jordan, Israel, and Syria. This is causing the sea to rapidly disappear, causing terrifying consequences for the ecosystem surrounding the sea.


One of these consequences is the rising number of sinkholes around the dried up areas in the Dead Sea. When fresh water combines with the salt deposits it cause the ground to dissolve and create a sinkhole.


In 1990 there were 40 sinkholes. Today there are over 3,000 sinkholes and counting. At the current rate, one sinkhole is created almost everyday.









Sources

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/emej45ldlg/dead-sea/

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-dying-of-the-dead-sea-70079351/?page=1

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/is-the-dead-sea-dying-water-loss-continues-at-record-rate-8229546.html

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/154254/Dead-Sea

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/moment/2013/09/the_dead_sea_is_dying_how_sinkholes_habitat_destruction_and_low_water_levels.html

Mortgaging our future: The Ogallala Aquifer

When we hear the song "God Bless America", and the portion involving the "Amber Waves of Grain," people in the midwest pump their chest out with pride. If the Ogallala aquifer, the secret to the success of midwest farming, dries up then chest swelling may deflate to a flat chest, devoid of pride.

The Ogallala Aquifer is a natural water deposit that helps farmers grow their crops in an area that covers eight states. The aquifer is responsible for the success of Americas rich and plentiful farmlands across the midwest.

According to the Water Encyclopedia, The Ogallala Aquifer covers 174,000 square miles across eight states. It also provides the High Plains region with nearly all of the water for agriculture, industrial, and residential use.

The aquifer is the key system used in a vast region of America's heartland. Recently, efforts have been made to cut back the usage of this aquifer in order to prevent it from drying up and/or becoming polluted.

According to the USDA, The aquifer accounts for 30 percent of all water used in the country.

                   One of the main concern regarding the aquifer is the current over usage by the                              agriculture, industrial, and residential sectors.

According to a U.S. Geological Survey study from 2000-2008, the aquifer was over drafted by an average of 10.2 Kilometers, or roughly 2 percent of the volume of water in Lake Eerie.

The Ogallala Aquifer recharges itself by collecting rainfall and snowmelt. As you can imagine, this is a relatively slow and natural process. Due to the rapid rise in agriculture since 1940, we have been over drafting from the 10 million year-old system for decades.

Other Links:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/initiatives/?cid=stelprdb1048809


http://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2012/finalwebsite/problem/groundwater.shtml

http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Oc-Po/Ogallala-Aquifer.html

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3595#.VDteASldXZg

Indiana('s) Bat

The Bat

The Indiana Bats population has been cut in half since its placement on the endangered species list in 1967.

The Indiana Bat is a species of bat that is scattered across the eastern United States. The name "Indiana Bat" was given to the species not because they are exclusive to Indiana (which they are not), but because they were discovered and first observed in a cave in southern Indiana.

Although, Indiana does play a significant role in the species origin and survival. According to fws.gov, about half of the species (207,000 in 2005) hibernate in caves in southern Indiana.

The Indiana Bat, or Myotis Sodolis, prefers the damp, cool, environment of southern Indiana's caves. The Myotis Sodolis is a very social species of bat. They tend to gather in large groups to hibernate.

The fact that the Indiana Bat gathers in large groups combined with a devastating fungus and human interruption have caused a massive decrease in the population.

                                          A gathering of Indiana Bats. The bats gather in these groups during                                                       hibernation in abandoned mines or caves. 

White Nose Syndrome

White-nose syndrome, or WNS, is a fungus that affects hibernating bats. The fungus' scientific name is Pseudogymnoascus destructans. According to fws.gov, the syndrome has killed over a million bats since its discovery in 2006. 

Bats that are affected by WNS develop a white ring around the its nose, hence the name 'White-nose syndrome.' Because the bats gather in such large groups, they are more susceptible to the disease by rapid spreading. 

                                          A brown bat with White-nose syndrome (WNS). 

                                          The fungus is found in caves where the bats hibernates. 

Another issue affecting the bats is human interruption of the bats hibernation process. When the bat is prematurely awakened from their hibernation, they use precious energy needed to survive during the winter. 

Possible Solutions

When a species is listed under the Endangered Species Act, a, "Action Plan" is required to help move the species out of the endangered category. The plan is reviewed every five years to mark the progress of the species. 

Within those plans, we discover the bats 'critical habitat.' A critical habitat is designated as any area that is vital for the bats survival. Some caves and mines have been designated as critical to the Indiana Bat. 

For more information visit: http://www.fws.gov/Midwest/Endangered/mammals/inba/index.html

                                            https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/about/bats-affected-wns