Dugong

Going, Going, Dugong: Save the Sea Cows

Jason Blazensky

Organism Description and Ecology
The Dugong, or as it is known by its species name the Dugong Dugon, is a marine animal that is a member of the Dugongidae family and is the only species among every genus in its family that is not extinct. The Dugong can grow up to 3 to 4 meters long and gets its nickname "The Sea Cow" from grazing on sea grasses that grow among meadows in protected coastal valleys. As Dugongs feed, the entire plant is consumed and uprooted, leaving a trail of cleared vegetation in their wake. Dugong can grow up to 900 pounds, and are genetically more similar to elephants than any other aquatic animals. Its closest aquatic relative is the sea manatee. The Dugong have round heads with tiny eyes that are located towards the top of their skull. They have a whale like tail that is used to propel them elegantly through the water as they use their fins to steer and balance themselves. Dugong can swim at 20 km/hr to avoid predators, and are said to be the basis behind the mermaid myth. Dugong can live up to 70 years old. Dugong feed on grasses from the  Potamogetonaceae and  Hydrocharitaceae families, and have been known to occasionally eat crustaceans such as crabs. The lower lip and the roof of the mouth of the Dugong have horny pads of teeth that grasp algae and vegetation and then uproot the plant from the ocean floor. As with all marine animals, the Dugong must surface to breathe in air.

Geographic and Population Changes
Dugong populations inhabit shallow, warm tropical waters from the Indian Ocean, to the coast of South and East Africa and between Western Australia and Queensland. The Dugong live in discontinuous habitats among all these areas, and their numbers have undergone steady decreases between the 1960's and 1990's. In 1960, a study of the populations of Dugong between Brisbane and Cooktown was conducted, and found that the number of Dugong decreased from 72,000 to 4,200 in 30 years. A graph of data taken in Queensland illustrates this trend of decrease.

The amount of Seagrass in this area is not nearly enough to support the 1960 population of 72,000 Dugong, and if this declination was the same in all parts of Australia, the Dugong would be listed as critically endangered, however sites such as Shark Bay and Torres Strait support larger populations, making this species endangered.

Listing and Type of Listing
The Dugong was listed as an endangered species in 1970, however they have had a recovery plan in effect since 2013 called The Action Plan for Australian Mammals (Woinarski). This recovery plan focuses on recuperating populations of Dugong in areas with severe decline as well as maintaining the abundance of Dugong in areas that are deemed stable as well as monitoring human activity to ensure continuity of stable habitats.

Causes for Listing and Main threats against continuity of existence
There are a number of reason for the drastic decline in Dugong, almost all of which are directly linked to human activity. The most severe threat to survival is due to coastal development and expansion of sea ports. This severe habitat degradation caused massive migrations, and starvation among Dugong due to loss of seagrass. Pollution has caused unsafe amounts of lead to reach the seagrass, poisoning the dugong. Moderate problems with by catch and indigenous hunting have contributed to the decline of this species. There are many other minor causes to the declination of the Dugong such as noise pollution, vessel strike and climate change.

Description of Recovery Plan
With such an extensive list of threats, wildlife biologist have had to brainstorm many approaches to make Dugong recovery a reality. The most important strategy is to better under stand how Dugong populations are distributed throughout the World. This requires extending areal surveys to track habitat and resource use. A high priority is also finding the reasons for the impact of vessel strikes and preventable forms of injury. Habitat and dietary requirements are also studied closely to track feeding and breeding areas movement corridors and large patches of seagrass distribution. This goal can also be accomplished by understanding the feeding selection and requirements of Dugong as well as understanding the seasonality of their food sources. Scientists are also trying to further develop their understanding of the Dugong's role in sea grass ecosystems. Finally, studies on genetics and technological advances in tracking in surveying will aid in placing Dugong populations into observable management areas.
Personal Action
to aid conservation and restoration efforts, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will let you symbolically adopt a Dugong. 85% of all of the WWF's money received is directed to conservation efforts in 100 Countries. You can choose to donate 100, 55 or 25 dollars to the cause, and in return you will receive a stuffed Dugon, a picture and many other nifty trinkets depending on the amount of money spent. Act now and save the Sea Cows!
http://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/Dugong.aspx

"Biodiversity." Dugong Dugon — Dugong. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015
"EDGE of Existence." EDGE of Existence. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Species Profile for Dugong (Dugong Dugon)." Species Profile for Dugong (Dugong Dugon). N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Dugongs, Dugong Dugon." MarineBio.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.

Polar Bears are in Danger

By: Ben Katz

Photo Taken From: http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/about-polar-bears/essentials/characteristics

Introduction and Description:

Have you wondered how Polar Bears are the only bears who appear white? We attest this illusion to the design of polar bears' fur. The guard hairs that cover the underfur have hollow, pigment free hair shafts. This outer layer reflects light similarly to snow and ice, especially in direct sunlight. (Polar Bears Intl.) Interestingly, polar bears use their fur to prevent heat loss on land, and their fat insulation performs the same task in the water.

Polar Bears' cognitive skills to hunt down ice seals makes them so magnificent. In a dynamic, polar environment, these bears are on the top of the food chain. According to research scientist Alison Ames, they're ability to successfully hunt given the circumstances gives polar bears a higher IQ than some species of apes (Polar Bears Intl.).

Polar Bears are K-selected mammals. What's important here is high adult survival rates are needed for the Polar Bear population to continue their extensive maternal investment in their offspring (U.S. Fish and Wildlife).

So Where are They?

Polar bears are a nothing short of magnificent and are very recognizable. However, much of our population has not come in contact with these bears as they are located in the circumpolar path to hunt their primary prey, ice seals (Polar Bears Intl.) This area includes the Arctic region and certain areas of Canada, Denmark, The United States (Alaska Only), Russia, and Norway. Polar Bears typically retreat to the north during the summertime, and advance South when the autumn freeze kicks in (U.S. Fish and Wildlife).  Due to melting polar ice, we continue to notice more and more polar bears migrating further north over time. In the Arctic Region, these bears live on four sea ice ecoregions and are in order from most to least threatened: seasonal ice, polar basin divergent ice, polar basin convergent ice, and archipelago ice.

The Listing Under the ESA

On July 8th, 2015, the ESA listed polar bears under threatened species. This listing came about in response to global warming as the main threat to the steady population of Polar Bears (U.S. Fish and Wildlife).

Cause of the Listing

This listing was created due to the need for Polar bears to maintain a very high survival rate of 93%, while global warming causes an inevitable decline of the Sea Ice Habitat (U.S. Fish and Wildlife). Astronomical greenhouse gas emissions are causing sharp temperature increases all over earth, especially around the poles. These temperature increases will reduce polar bear's habitat and food supply.
Other small threats including human contact and harm from commercial activity are mentioned to help strengthen the listing.

Watch the following video for more explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_HyqPZdN5s

What is the Recovery Plan?

The Polar Bear Conservation Management Plan has a set of fundamental goals that bring together the objectives of the MMPA, ESA, and stakeholders connected to the survival of Polar Bears and their habitats:

1.     Secure the long-term persistence of wild polar bears as a species and as a significant  functioning element in the ecosystem of which they are a part.

2.     Secure the long-term persistence of polar bears at scales that represent the genetic, behavioral, life-history, and ecological diversity of the species.

3.     Secure the long-term persistence of the two polar bear subpopulations in the United States (The Southern Beafort Sea and Chukchi Sea subpopulations).

4.     Recognize the nutritional and cultural traditions of the native peoples with connections to polar bear populations, including the opportunity for stable harvest of polar bears.

5.     Continue to manage human-bear interactions to ensure human safety and to conserve polar bears.

6.     Achieve polar bear conservation while minimizing restrictions to other activities within the range of the polar bear, including economic development.

Taken From: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/Polar%20Bear%20Conservation%20Mgmt%20Plan.pdf

The purpose of these goals are to control all variables of polar bear's survival, and with productive global warming reductions, we can ensure the survival of polar bears. While global warming is mentioned, the real issues this plan addresses include managing of peoples' close contact with the Polar bears, and reducing the risk of commercial disasters such as oil spills.

How can we Help?

Our best way to help out the Polar bears is to reduce our own contribution to Global Warming as well as donating to organizations that advocate conservation of these magnificent creatures.
To find out how you can reduce your own carbon footprint, you can use the link below to calculate your current footprint:
http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/gfn/page/calculators/ 

The next link could help you figure out how to reduce your contribution to climate change:

http://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Your-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions

Polar Bears International is an organization that researches these issues, give aid to the polar bears, pressures politics to put a larger tax on carbon emissions, and much more! If you would like to contribute to the solution, their link is here:
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org

Sources:

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/Polar%20Bear%20Conservation%20Mgmt%20Plan.pdf

http://www.polarbearsinternational.org

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/gfn/page/calculators/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_HyqPZdN5s

http://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Your-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions

Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Blog by Natalie Kerr

THE HAWKSBILL SEA TURTLE

Eretmochelys imbricata

Image from National Geographic

The Hawksbill sea turtle plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of coral reefs and sea grass beds which are home to thousands of other species in marine ecosystems all over the world. Similar to other species in their family, Hawksbills, due to a number of causes, are critically endangered. In fact, the Hawksbill sea turtle has been listed (along with all of its subspecies) as endangered under the U.S. Federal Register (before the enactment of the ESA(1973) on June 2, 1970), the U.S. Endangered Species Act, CITES (Appendix I), as well as a number of other international conservation organizations throughout its range (1).  

Species & Ecology Description 

Hawksbills are on the smaller side of sea turtle species as their carapaces, or top shells, can be anywhere from 65-90 cm, and they can weigh, on average,100-200 pounds (2). They have elongated heads that taper into a point with their mouthes resembling that of a bird's beak– giving the species its name, 'Hawksbill'. A Hawksbill can easily be identified by observing its carapace that has thick "scutes", or thick, bony plates, that overlap causing it to look almost serrated which protects them from being injured by sharp, hard coral and rocks during storms (3 &4). Also unique, Hawksbills' carapaces can have dazzling yellow, orange, red and brown markings. Interestingly enough, hatchlings are born almost completely brown. In addition, Hawksbills have two claws at the end of each of their flippers. 

Hawksbills are carnivores and feed on sponges with the help of their pointed beak-like mouthes that allow them to reach into holes and crevices in the coral reefs of which they reside. They also feed on other species such as jellies, invertebrate species like urchins and mollusks, as well as algae. By keeping the populations of sponges (which compete with many other reef organisms for space) down, they play a vital role in their ecosystems which predominately consists of rich, coral reefs (5 & 6). 

Geographic Facts & Population 

Hawksbills reside in tropical and subtropical regions, typically from 30º N to 30º S latitude in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans (1). They are seldom found in water deeper than 65 feet and (aside from coral reefs) are also found in rocky, shallow coastal areas, lagoons, and near oceanic islands (7). Between foraging and nesting, Hawksbills are a highly migratory species. What used to be a common species, Hawksbills only have an estimated 15,000 nesting females left accounting for 30% of their population; whereas in 2007 there were an estimated 28,000 nesting females (7). They are particularly struggling in the Pacific Ocean where they used to be abundant.

Current Threats

There are over just over 30 listed current threats to the existence of the Hawksbill– almost all of them are accredited to human impact (1). However, the most prevalent threat to the species is human exploitation for their valuable carapaces (commonly known as 'tortoiseshell') often carved into hair  clips, combs, jewelry and other trinkets. Unfortunately, although Hawksbills are protected in many regions under CITES, some countries and island chains (Cuba, Haiti, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and a few more) still permit the 'taking' of Hawksbills (2). Even more disheartening, there is an alarming amount of illegal trade of tortoiseshell– there is an especially high demand in Asia recently.



A second serious threat to the existence of Hawksbills is the degradation and loss of nesting sites due to coastal construction, increased human presence, the direct 'taking' of eggs, light pollution, beach mining, vehicular driving on beaches, etc.

Image from National Geographic

What is being done?

(1) As the Hawksbill sea turtle is listed under the U.S. ESA, it has its very own recovery plan which is as follows:

1) Nesting Environments
       - Protect and manage turtles on nesting beaches
       - Protect and manage nesting habitat
2) Marine Environments
       - Protect and manage hawksbill populations in the marine habitat
       - Protect and manage marine habitats (including foraging habitats)
3) Ensure proper care in captivity

       - Develop standards for the care and maintenance of sea turtles, including diet, water quality, tank size, and treatment of injury and disease

       - Establish a catalog of all captive sea turtles to enhance use for research and education

       - Designate rehabilitation facilities

4) International Cooperation

       - Support existing international agreements and conventions to ensure that turtles in all life stages are protected in foreign waters

       - Encourage ratification of the CITES for all non-member Pacific countries, compliance with CITES requirements, and removal of sea turtle trade reservations held by member nations

       - Develop new international agreements to ensure that turtles in all life-stages are protected in foreign waters

       - Develop or continue to support informational displays in Republic of Palau, Guam, Hawaii, American Samoa, Northern Marianas, the Marshall Islands, the FSM and other airports which provide connecting legs for travelers to the area

What can YOU do?

Unfortunately, if you are not a resident of an area where this species can be found, there is a not a significant amount that you can personally do. However, if you are ever traveling in an area where Hawksbill turtles nest or are found, I highly encourage you to not buy ANY tortoiseshell products. More over, if you are ever in a scenario where you can witness the hatching of Hawksbill hatchlings, give them their space (15 feet is recommended), DO NOT shine any artificial light (flashes from cameras or phones, flashlights, etc.) on the hatchlings as it could blind or disorient them, and DO NOT block them from getting to the ocean (8). Do your part (even if it's seemingly small) to protect the existence of this magnificent species! 

References:

(1) National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2008. Recovery Plan for the U.S. Pacific Populations of the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). National Marine Fisheries Service, Silver Spring, MD. 

(2) "Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)." NOAA Fisheries. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 30 Oct. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. 

(3) "Hawksbill Sea Turtle." National Geographic Animals. National Geographic, n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2015.

(4) "Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)". ECOS Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, n. d. Web. 20 Nov. 2015. 

(5) "Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricata)." Costa Rica Turtles. Save the Turtles, n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2015.

(6) "Hawksbill Turtle." WWF. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.

(7) "Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricata)." North Florida Ecological Services Office. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jan. 2015. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. 

(8) "Hawaiian Sea Turtles." Hawai'i Wildlife Fund, Conserving Hawaii's Native Wildlife. Hawai'i Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2015.

Photos:

http://tvblogs.nationalgeographic.com/files/2014/06/Hawksbill_Sea_Turtle_Carey_de_Concha_5840602412.jpg 

https://s-media-cache ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1c/8a/b4/1c8ab456d95c55fd3c40b2cb079b7a59.jpg

http://divebuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/divebuzz-turtle-0060.jpg

http://www.mesa.edu.au/turtles/images/hawksbill-distrib.gif

https://graciousgood.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/tortoishellcollection.jpg

http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/gvnblog/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/turtle.jpg

Blog by Natalie Kerr