Tag: Coastal ecosystems
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Bird flu fears for Ireland’s seals as UK records rise in seal deaths
Overview: Bird flu edges closer to Ireland’s seal colonies While Ireland has not recorded mammal infections of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, authorities warn that the virus has been detected in seabirds along parts of the Irish coast. The proximity of these infections to seal habitats has sparked concern among conservation groups and…
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Blue Jellyfish Invades Japan’s Warming Seas Coast Trend
Warming Seas Bring a Remarkable Visitor to Japan As ocean temperatures rise and currents shift, the seas around Japan are welcoming visitors that once would have remained far offshore. A blue, balloon-like jellyfish has drawn the attention of scientists and coastal communities alike, not only for its striking appearance but for what its arrival signals…
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Warming Seas Bring a Dazzling Yet Dangerous Jellyfish to Japan’s Coast
Introduction: A Northward Drift in the Seas The oceans around Japan are undergoing rapid changes as waters grow warmer and currents shift. A strikingly vivid jellyfish has appeared farther north and closer to the coast than many scientists expected. Its arrival is more than a curiosity; it is a visible sign of how climate-driven changes…
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Instagram photos help scientists track invasive plant flowering patterns
Facebook photos, beach selfies, and scientific discovery What looks like a vibrant coastal postcard may be hiding a ecological alarm. Scientists have turned everyday Instagram selfies and beach shots into a powerful data stream, revealing how Carpobrotus, commonly called ice plants or sour fig, is flowering longer and spreading into new environments across multiple continents.…
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Marine Sponges Resilient to Nitrogen Run-Off, But Not All Species Across Niches
New findings on how nitrogen runoff affects marine sponges A recent study led by researchers from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington sheds light on how nitrogen fertilizer runoff may influence marine sponges. The international collaboration examined seven sponge species—three from New Zealand’s Wellington coast and four from Lough Hyne, a protected marine reserve in…
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Nitrogen Runoff and Marine Sponges: Tolerance and Risks
New study investigates nitrogen run-off and sponge health A recent study led by researchers from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington explores how nitrogen fertilizer run-off could affect marine sponges. Published in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, the research tested seven sponge species—three from Wellington, New Zealand, and four from Lough Hyne,…
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Carpobrotus blooms longer where invaded, study reveals
New insights into a coastal invader A recent study led by researchers from the University of Galway and international partners reveals a surprising edge for the colorful coastal plant carpobrotus. By analyzing more than 1,700 photos from social media and citizen science platforms, the team found that carpobrotus flowers for a longer period in regions…
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Eastern Australian Humpback Whale Population Surges Past Pre-Whaling Levels
A Remarkable Comeback for Eastern Australian Humpback Whales The eastern Australian humpback whale population is now estimated to exceed 50,000 individuals, according to a preliminary report to Australia’s federal climate and environment department. This figure surpasses the estimated pre-whaling population from the early 1900s by roughly 20,000 whales and aligns with predictions that the population…
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Mangrove Photography Awards 2025: Winners Illuminate Coastal Ecosystems
Overview of the Mangrove Photography Awards 2025 The Mangrove Photography Awards, launched in 2015 by the Mangrove Action Project (MAP), has crowned its 2025 winners and finalists in a global call to protect mangrove ecosystems. Celebrating imagery from photographers across 125 countries, the competition blends art and science to highlight the crucial role mangroves play…