The time has come to step away from the blog. The last two years have been fun and I appreciate those that have followed along. However, having accepted new responsibilities within the academic world, I no longer have sufficient time to devote to “Natural Order.” This will be my last post. I wish you all a great life. Happy trails…..
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Learn more here. The technical paper is available from Science Express.
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Of course, they could also clone tropical plants for this process, but I suppose dinosaurs are sexier. (Courtesy of Fake Science.)
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Life expectancy is a concept in which the effort devoted to contemplating it is positively correlated with age. I don’t remember thinking about it much as a younger man. Older people always seemed so…well…old. Now that I have passed the “halfway point” of my life, thoughts of the end occupy more of my time, although not in an unhealthy way. Just in a, “I can’t believe so-and-so died, he was only a few years older than me,” way. How long might we expect to live? In 2009, the global average life expectancy was 68 years. This varies by region; it is 75+ in the United States, longer for women than for men. (Insert joke here.) The figure below shows the geographic distribution of life expectancy (source of the figure linked below).
There are plenty of research groups around the world working to find ways to extend life spans. These techniques go beyond the dramatic increases seen in life expectancy over the last century as a result of modern medicine, especially vaccinations. Today, it is no longer that surprising for a human to live 100 years or more (122 is the record). How much higher can we go? And how can we increase the chances that more people will live this long? Recent research suggests that caloric restriction might be key. Eating less, almost to the point of starvation, increases the chances that experimental mice will live longer. Obviously, this research is in its infancy, but it does bring up an interesting philosophical question. What would you do to live longer? Would you starve yourself in your last decade or two for a few more years? What would those few more years be like? We are not at the point yet where people have to make such decisions. But I, for one, want to live as long as possible. If I am mentally sharp and aware of those around me; if I can read a book and continue to learn; if I can share precious moments with my wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and if I can continue to teach, in whatever capacity, then life will be good. Now that I think about it, all of these things enhance my life in the here-and-now (save the grandchildren and great-grandchildren); even if I don’t set the record for longevity.
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Cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg recently presented a TED Talk in which he screened some footage from his new film, “Wings of Life.” The film focuses on the beauty and value of pollinators and the images are absolutely stunning. (I especially like the spinning hummingbird!) Recent concerns over the decline of honeybee colonies should serve as a reminder of the almost incalculable value of the ecosystem services provided by bees, bats, hummingbirds, and other pollen transporters. National Pollinator Week is right around the corner (June 20-26). Perhaps this clip will put you in a celebratory mood! (The film footage starts around the 3:15 mark.)
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Read the story here.
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If you are out and about in the wilds of Ohio this summer, and I sincerely hope that you are, be on the look-out for Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is once again conducting a state-wide count of these two species, and observations from the general public are an integral part of the data collection process. There is a web-based form for easy entry of your field records.
Observations entered on this webpage are used to calculate a reproductive index to help forecast fall populations and set hunting regulations and are being used in the Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas.
Additional state-specific information on turkey and grouse can be found below. By the way, Ohio is not the only state that conducts such surveys. New York, for example, runs a similar program. If you are interested in participating in your state, check with your local wildlife agency.
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This is the opening salvo of a lecture by Dr. Eugenie Scott, Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education, on Bigfoot. If you would like to see more, click the “Watch Full Program” button on the bottom-right of the video player, or visit this site. Take-home message: no evidence…..no bigfoot! Still, you will never convince some people.
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Having recently commented on the finality of extinction, occasionaly we do find exceptions. Well, not exceptions exactly, because these species were clearly not extinct; but the rediscovery of species believed to be extinct. Famous exmaples of these exciting finds include the coelecanth and the megamouth shark. A more infamous example, on the other hand, is the “rediscovery” of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Providing hope for all of those species on the brink is a recent sighting of a species believed to be extinct for 113 years. The red-crested tree rat (Santamartamys rufodorsalis) had not been seen since 1898 before an individual wandered up to the front door of the El Dorado Nature Reserve Eco-Lodge in Colombia. The survival of the species benefited from protected areas like El Dorado.
“The El Dorado Nature Reserve represents the ultimate Noah’s Ark, protecting the last populations of many critically endangered and endemic flora and fauna; a living treasure trove like no other on earth,” said Dr. Paul Salaman, the scientist from the World Land Trust-US who confirmed the identity of the species. ”Had we not worked with our partners to establish this reserve, it is reasonable to believe this species would still remain something that was only talked about in science journals. Now we need to work with our partners to take steps to see that this species continues to be a part of our world,” said George Fenwick, President of American Bird Conservancy.
There is no information on the population dynamics of this species but it must be very rare. It is possible that this is the only individual remaining and the elation of the discovery will be short-lived; especially given the presence of feral cats in the region.
The Red-crested Tree Rat will now likely be designated as Critically Endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List of Threatened Species criteria. What is most concerning, however, is that much of the tree rat’s potential remaining range is inundated with introduced feral cats that prey on native fauna.
Let’s hope it is not another century before this attractive rodent is seen again.
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