Natural Environment Blog

This dolphin is a new species of bottlenose dolphin, which was discovered off the coast of Australia. Photo: Kerstin Bilgmann.

Scientists have discovered a new species of bottlenose dolphin swimming in the southern waters of Australia.

Researchers from the Macquarie and Monash university made the discovery while collecting genetic samples from what they thought were coastal bottlenose dolphins. After DNA testing 200 dolphins, they realized that these weren’t coastal bottlenose dolphins after all. 

“They look alike but they are genetically quite different,” said Luciana Moller, of Macquarie University. ”We were surprised.”

The discovery, which was reported in Molecular Phylogenetics And Evolution, is quite significant. It’s not often that a new species of large mammal is discovered.

“Large mammals are not discovered very often. It shows we still have a lot to learn about how many marine species are out there.” said Dr Moller.

Special Protection

Dr Moller believes the new dolphin species will need protection because of its limited range.

“Due to their coastal habitat, these dolphins are also more likely to face threats such as pollution, overfishing and entanglement in nets” she said.

Previously Known Bottlenose Dolphin Species

Until now, only two species of bottlenose dolphins were known. These are:

• Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), also known as the Bottle-nosed Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Bottlenosed Dolphin. Lives in most tropical to temperate oceans. Its colour is grey, with the shade of grey varying among populations; can be bluish-grey, brownish-grey, or even nearly black; often darker on the back from the rostrum to behind the dorsal fin.
• Indo-pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), also known as the Indian Ocean Bottlenose Dolphin. Lives in the waters around India, northern Australia, South China, the Red Sea, and the eastern coast of Africa; back is dark-grey and belly is lighter grey or nearly white with grey spots.

The following dolphins are sometimes recognized as a subspecies of the T. truncatus:

• Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (T. gillii or T. truncatus gillii), living in the Pacific; has a black line from the eye to the forehead
• Black Sea Bottlenose Dolphin (T. truncatus ponticus), living in the Black Sea.

The Researchers

The Macquarie University researchers are from the Marine Mammal Research Group, Graduate School of the Environment, and the Molecular Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences.

The Monash University researchers are from the Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research (CESAR) and Australian Centre for Biodiversity: Analysis, Policy and Management, School of Biological Sciences.

A newly discovered turtle species has provided scientists with a missing link between the terrestrial turtles from the Triassic period to the modern day aquatic turtles.

The discovery provides scientists with proof that aquatic turtles were roaming the earth at least 164 million years ago.

The new species, called Eileanchelys waldmani, was discovered after six fossils were found embedded in a rock on the Scottish Island of Skye.

“Although the majority of modern turtles are aquatic forms, it has been convincingly demonstrated that the most primitive turtles from the Triassic, about 210m years ago, were exclusively terrestrial.” said Jérémy Anquetin of the department of palaeontology at London’s Natural History Museum.

“Until the discovery of Eileanchelys, we thought that adaptation to an aquatic habitat might have appeared among primitive turtles but we had no fossil evidence of that.”

“Now we know for sure that there were aquatic turtles around 164m years ago. This discovery also demonstrates that turtles were more ecologically diverse early in their history than had been suspected before.”

The ancient turtle (Eileanchelys waldmani), in its natural habitat 164 million years ago. This illustration represents a reconstruction of the Kilmaluag Formation fauna (late Bathonian, Isle of Skye, Scotland).

About The Turtle’s Name

Anquetin, who was also one of the researchers who analysed the fossils, also created the name for the species. 

“I liked the idea of giving it a name in Gaelic, so I tried to find words that sound good in Gaelic and Latin.” he said.

“I chose ‘Eilean’, so the whole name means ‘the turtle from the island’.”

The Turtle’s Appearance

Mr Anquetin says that, although the ancient turtle would have resembled a modern freshwater turtle on the outside, on the inside there are key differences.

“The differences are on the inside - in the cranial anatomy. They are small differences but very important. There is no other turtle like this one.” he explained. 

Analyzing The Fossils

The six fossils were found at the bay of Cladach a’Ghlinne, on the Strathaird peninsula in 2004. Researchers from the Natural History Museum and University College London then cut the slab of rock away, painstakenly released the fossils from the rock, then analyzed them.  

The new species is the most complete Middle Jurassic turtle species ever described. The findings were reported in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

The specimens are now being housed in the National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh.

WWF recently compared the two international forest certification schemes, naming the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) the better of the two.

The Program for Endorsement of Certification Systems (PEFC), a global umbrella organisation for the assessment of and mutual recognition of national forest certification schemes, was also assessed.

WWF, in partnership with the World Bank, developed the Forest Certification Assessment Guide (FCAG), to assess the quality and credibility of forest certification schemes.

Such schemes promote responsible forest management and purchasing of forest products from well-managed forests.

Based on the latest assessment and previous assessments, WWF found that FSC meets the requirements of the FACG. In particular, for:

• driving significant improvements in forest management on the ground;
• meeting as a minimum WWF’s core values on meaningful and equitable participation of all major stakeholder groups, reliable and independent assessment, certification decisions free of conflicts of interest, transparency in decision making and reporting; and
• delivering consistency across countries

Method of Assessment

In assessing the two schemes, WWF looked at the following:

1. An analysis of the FSC and PEFC Systems for Forest Management Certification, using the Forest Certification Assessment Guide (FCAG), Walter, October 2008;
2. An analysis of Corrective Action Requests (CAR) of FSC and PEFC across six countries in Europe, Hirschberger, 2005;
3. The Global Impacts of SmartWood Certification, Newsom & Hewitt, 2005.
4. Forest Certification Credibility Assessment in Indonesia Applying the Forest Certification Assessment Guide on National Level, Hinrichs & Prasetyo, 2007

Improvements Needed

WWF says that while FSC is the better scheme, both certification schemes could do with improvements.

In particular, PEFC needs to:

• improve on transparency of decision-making and reporting;
• improve on balanced and equitable stakeholder participation 
• demonstrate improvements on the ground;
• develop a consistent approach across countries. WWF says that, while some national PEFC schemes were better in performance than others, the common use of the PEFC logo does not allow buyers to differentiate between them.

FSC needs to improve in its approach to interim standards.

WWF also said that few changes had been implemented by the schemes since the last assessment in 2005.

The Importance Of Forest Certification

WWF has often spoken of the importance of forest certification schemes.

One WWF study in Europe in 2005 showed that certification led to significant improvements to biodiversity conservation, management planning, health and safety, and the employment rights of forest workers.

“Our analysis provides conclusive evidence of the value of credible certification for a wide range of stakeholders across Europe” said Duncan Pollard, Head of the WWF European Forest Programme.

“We simply looked at what actual changes FSC certification has brought in forest management, and the results speak for themselves. The study also brings out clearly the social and economic benefits which FSC brings for policy makers, governments, forest owners, forest industry, those employed in the forest industry and recreational forest users” he continued.

WWF concluded that credible certification brings added value to society, the environment, and the economy.

The Waitaha penguin's extinction 500 years ago appears to have made way for the yellow-eyed penguin (above). Unfortunately, the yellow-eyed penguin is now an endangered species. Photo: Christian Mehlführer.

A species of penguin, previously unknown to science, has recently been identified in New Zealand more than 500 years since it became extinct. 

The species, called the Waitaha penguin (Megadyptes waitaha), is thought to have become extinct shortly after Polynesian settlement.

“It is estimated that the so-called Waitaha penguin became extinct between 1300 and 1500AD, soon after Polynesian settlement,” said Sanne Boessenkool, University of Otago PhD student and leader of the project.

Enter The Yellow Eyed Penguin

One of the most significant findings from the research is that, the penguin’s extinction appears to have made way for the yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes).

With an estimated 7000 remaining in New Zealand, the yellow eyed penguin is one of the most endangered penguin species on the planet.  

“Our findings demonstrate that yellow-eyed penguins on mainland New Zealand are not a declining remnant of a previous abundant population, but came from the sub-Antarctic relatively recently and replaced the extinct Waitaha Penguin,” said team member Dr Jeremy Austin, deputy director of the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA.

“Previous analysis of fossil records and anecdotal evidence suggested that the yellow-eyed penguin was more abundant and widespread in the past, but it now appears they have only been around for 500 years,” he continued.

The presence of the Waitaha penguin appears to have limited the yellow eyed penguin’s population to the South Island of New Zealand.

“Competition between the two species previously prevented the yellow-eyed penguin from expanding northwards but environmental changes in the predator population, such as the severe decline of sea lions, may have facilitated their colonisation in the South Island” Dr Austin said. 

Relevance To Climate Change

The research has reiterated the idea that some species are more adaptable to major changes, such as climate change, than others.

“What these unexpected results highlight is the dynamic nature of ecosystem change, where the loss of one species may open up opportunities for the expansion of another.” said Dr Phil Seddon, Director of the Wildlife Management Programme at University of Otago.

Dr David Penny of the Allan Wilson Center for Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Massey University said ”…it is vitally important to know how species, such as the yellow-eyed penguin, are able to respond to new opportunities.”

“It is becoming apparent that some species can respond to things like climate change, and others cannot. The more we know, the more we can help.”

Findings of the research have been published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

The pygmy tarsier, a cute little primate that resembles a miniature furby, has been rediscovered after almost 80 years. Photo: Sharon Gursky-Doyen/Texas A&M University.

Scientists have discovered three specimens of a tiny primate believed by some to be extinct.

The pocket-sized creature, which has a scientific name of Tarsius pumilus, is commonly known as the Pygmy Tarsier, Mountain Tarsier, Lesser Spectral Tarsier, and Sulawesi Mountain Tarsier. 

Until recently, some scientists believed that the pygmy tarsier was extinct, as no live specimen had  been seen since 1930. In 2000, two Indonesian scientists trapped and accidentally killed a pygmy tarsier on Mt. Rore Katimbo in Lore Lindu National Park in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.

That incident prompted a new search for the furby-like creatures, which resulted in the recent find - two males and one female.

The research team promptly placed radio collars on the animals for tracking. Unfortunately, since then, the female tarsier has been eaten by a hawk.

Pygmy tarsiers are known for their uncanny ability to turn their head 180 degrees. This made the research team’s more difficult when it came to placing the radio collars on the animals.

“I have the dubious honor of being the only person in the world to have been bitten by [a pygmy tarsier],” said  Sharon Gursky-Doyen of Texas A&M University. 

“My field assistant was holding the tarsier and I was attaching a radio collar around its neck and while I was attaching the radio collar he bit me [on the finger].”

The research was funded by National Geographic Society, Conservation International Primate Action Fund, Primate Conservation Incorporated and Texas A&M University.

Previously, only two live specimens of pygmy tarsier have ever been found. Photo: Sharon Gursky-Doyen/Texas A&M University.

Not much is known about pygmy tarsiers. In fact, the pygmy tarsier is among the least known primates in existence. 

Apart from this recent discovery, only three other specimens have ever been found (only two live specimens). The first live specimen was found in 1916 and the second in 1930. All three specimens are currently in museums.

Future infrastructure projects in Asia could cause conflict between humans and elephants. Photo: Steve Evans, Bangalore, India.

A new report released today by WWF and the World Bank warns that future large-scale infrastructure projects in southern Asia will increase human-elephant conflict.

The projects, which are often internationally funded, are likely to push elephants out of their natural habitat. Elephants are then likely to raid crop fields and break down houses to get at stored crops.

About The Report

The report, entitled Review of Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation Measures Practised in South Asia, was compiled by WWF-Nepal, the Centre for Conservation and Research Sri Lanka (CCR) and the Nature Conservation Foundation.

It looks at the current methods used by humans to keep elephants away from their homes and farms in the southern parts of Asia. The report also looks at the positives and negatives of these methods.  

The report found that some methods, such as making loud noises, are only effective to a certain extent. Elephants typically learn that these loud humans are nothing to be afraid of and therefore continue to raid their homes and crops. 

New Strategy Urgently Needed

Because of the limited effectiveness of the many current approaches to elephant conflict, WWF says that a strategy that explains the most effective ways to mitigate the conflict is urgently needed.

“Most mitigation measures currently being used are just akin to bandaging the wounds and not treating the root cause,” said Prithiviraj Fernando, chairman of CCR-Sri Lanka. “Good land-use planning that takes both people and elephant needs into account is the only long-term solution.” 

Human-Elephant Conflict Is Expensive

WWF says that human-elephant conflict also costs money. In some countries the damage bill could be many millions per year. WWF urges investors to consider this issue when planning new developments.

“Billions of dollars lined up for regional and national level infrastructural investments such as the Trans-Asian highway project and various hydro-power and irrigation projects are going to significantly increase human-elephant conflict across Asia,” said Christy Williams, Coordinator of WWF’s Asian elephant and rhino conservation program.

“Banks and investors need to show leadership when it comes to human-elephant conflict by adding mitigation options into their large infrastructure plans in places where elephants are found from the beginning.”

Full Report [PDF, 1.69 MB]

Satellite tracking has revealed that Great White Sharks travel large distances to unlikely places. Photo: Terry Goss.

Two great white sharks have traveled 4,000 kilometers from the cold waters of southern New Zealand to the tropical waters of North East Australia.

The sharks began their journey in Stewart Island - 30 kilometers south of New Zealand’s South Island, and made their way to the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of the Australian state of Queensland.

The journey, of which one shark dived 1,000 meters, has surprised scientists who were studying the sharks. 

“We used to think great white sharks were shallow-water coastal species that lived in cold areas, where there were lots of seals to eat,” said Malcolm Francis, of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in Wellington.

“Now we have changed our impression of what they do.”

Possible World Record

Dr Francis added that the 1,000 meter dive could even be a world record for a great white shark.

Although various reports on the Internet claim that great whites have been known to dive to as much as 1,280 meters, great whites, which are known for swimming close to the surface, rarely dive to more than 800 meters below the surface. 

It’s likely that the shark was chasing a giant squid or phosphorescent fish at the time. Dr Francis says that at those depths, it would have been pitch black, and the shark would have been guided by the glow of the fish.

Great Whites “Know Where They’re Going”

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and the Conservation Department have been attaching satellite tracking devices to great white sharks to measure position, depth and water temperature. After several months, the devices eventually detach themselves from the shark and float to the surface, where data is transmitted to a satellite.

Dr Francis was also surprised to learn that the sharks traveled in a straight line, and covered up to 120 kilometers per day. 

“They seem to know where they are going,” he said.

Sample e-card with flowers and a caterpillar. Photo: Flickr User: foramjava (in orbit)

If you’re looking for greener ways to celebrate the holiday season, here’s one. 

The Nature Conservancy is inviting us to check out its recently  updated collection of free nature e-cards. 

Each e-card features a photo that was submitted by members to the Conservancy’s annual photo competition that I mentioned last month.

There are cards for all sorts of occassions too. Here are the categories:

Holiday E-cards

• Valentine’s E-cards
• Earth Day E-cards
• Mother’s Day E-cards
• Father’s Day E-cards
• Halloween E-cards
• Any Occasion

Best of Nature E-cards

• Bird E-cards
• Butterfly E-cards
• Explore E-cards
• Plants and Flowers E-cards
• Wild Animals E-cards

Special Occasion E-cards

• Best Wishes E-cards
• Birthday E-cards
• Friendship E-cards
• Get Well E-cards
• Inspirational E-cards
• Sympathy E-cards
• Wedding E-cards

Seasonal E-cards

• Spring E-cards
• Summer E-cards
• Autumn E-cards
• Winter E-cards

Oh… and did I mention that all e-cards are free?

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization that addresses threats to conservation involving climate change, fire, fresh water, forests, invasive species, and marine ecosystems.

By sending an e-card from The Nature Conservancy, not only will you be cutting down on paper, you’ll also be spreading the word about an important conservation organization dedicated to protecting ecologically important lands and waters.

If you’d like to support The Nature Conservancy and help nature, send a free e-card now!

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) remanded a PSD permit on Thursday for a proposed coal plant addition near Vernal, Utah.

EPA says that it cannot grant such permits until it decides what to do about limiting the CO2 emissions that the plant will produce.  

The decision will essentially delay any new coal plant in the United States for at least a couple of years.

The Sierra Club went before the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) in May this year requesting that the air permit for Deseret Power Electric Cooperative’s proposed waste coal-fired power plant be overturned because it failed to require any controls on carbon dioxide pollution. Once the 110 MW Bonanza plant was in operation, it would have emitted 3.37 million tons of carbon dioxide each year. 

On Thursday, the permit was overturned.

Significant Decision

The ruling will make it much harder for companies to receive permits for new coal plants. This could have a significant impact on the US coal industry as over 100 coal plants are in various stages of development around the country. 

“They’re sending this permit — and effectively sending every other permit — back to square one,” said David Bookbinder, chief climate counsel for the Sierra Club. 

“It’s minimum a one to two year delay for every proposed coal-fired power plant in the United States.”

The ruling makes reference to the landmark Massachusetts v. EPA decision last year that declared carbon dioxide a pollutant under the Clean Air Act. Until Thursday’s decision, the EPA had not yet acted on this ruling.

Coal Plants are Huge Carbon Emitters

Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits are for construction projects that may significantly increase air pollutant emissions. Part of the process for granting a PSD permit is determining what Best Available Control Technology (BACT) to use in order to minimize pollutant emissions.

“Coal plants emit 30% of our nation’s global warming pollution. Building new coal plants without controlling their carbon emissions could wipe out all of the other efforts being undertaken by cities, states and communities across the country,” said Bruce Nilles, Director of the Sierra Club’s National Coal Campaign. “Everyone has a role to play and it’s time that the coal industry did its part and started living up to its clean coal rhetoric.”

Good News for Low-Carbon Technologies

Thursday’s decision helps pave the way to making solar, wind, nuclear and other low-carbon technologies more competitive.

“Instead of pouring good money after bad trying to fix old coal technology, investors should be looking to wind, solar and energy efficiency technologies that are going to power the economy, create jobs, and help the climate recover,” said Nilles.

View the ruling [PDF document, 69 pages]

Thousands of people attended Australia Zoo today for Steve Irwin Day - a day for celebrating the life of Steve Irwin, also famously known as the Crocodile Hunter.

The event, which was also streamed live on the Internet, was also an opportunity to raise money for Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors to help continue Steve’s conservation work and the preservation of wildlife. 

All money rasied on the day will go towards whale research equipment. Specifically:

• Satellite Tags $3000 each (24 tags needed)
• Data Recovery $18,000
• Research Vessel $18,000
• Use of research vessel $1500 (per day for 15 days)

Today’s event also marked the opening of the new Australian Wildlife Hospital at Australia Zoo. The hospital, which cost $5 million to build, is expected to treat 6,000 patients per year. Terri Irwin says that the hospital was built in memory of Steve’s mother. 

In the foyer of the new wildlife hospital presents Steve’s words about his mother. 

She was the greatest wildlife rehabilitator in the world, a true pioneer. She was my legend and in my heart she will live forever.