Is your food production poisoning farmers? Ask Prius to ban organophosphates.

Almond, broccoli, tomatoes, cabbage, walnuts and many other foods we consume routinely may contain vestiges of very toxic chemicals that can cause farm workers to faint, vomit or feel sick said Eriberto Fernandez- United Farm Workers Foundation. Interview: Amy Goodman. Democracy Now. May19. 2017 (1)

Once you know some of the pesticides and agricultural products are highly toxic, wouldn't that motivate you to support a more sustainable food system that supports you, but also the farmers and other people involved.  A way we can achieve this is 1. cultivating organic produce 2. supporting local sustainable farmer cooperatives CSA (organic or no spray) 3.  buying or consuming products grown in sustainable ways- respecting the land and the workers. 4. In rank maybe #1- influencing policy, to create more regulations that support sustainable multi-crop agricultural systems, friendly for people and the environment.

"Consumers, we all eat and we all have a role to play in changing the way American diet operates. [Consumers] can call out local grocery stores or their local assembly to make sure they offer more organic sustainable products."  Eriberto Fernandez (1)

Recently as this month, on May 5th 2017, cabbage pickers farming at the Baker's field, county-California, USA were sickened by what appear to be volatile residues of a previous spraying at a nearby orange orchard. Allegedly the chemical sprayed was Vulcan TM - a chemical from Down, which contains chlrpyrifus. This product was banned as a home products in 2001, but it is still allowed in Agriculture (about 8000 million pounds in the US)said Kristin Schafer -Pesticide Action Network North America (interview by Amy Goodman May 5th, 2017.)

For decades workers and environmental organizations have requested more restricted regulation of organochlorides, the group of chemicals of which this pesticides are part of. This pesticides are in the same group of the agent orange.

Does this chemical pass this simple test to make the American workers safer? It does not appear so.

"Every regulation would have to pass a simple test. Does it makes makes the lives better or safer of America? If the answer is not, we shall get rid of it."--President of USA, Donald Trump. Sitting Next to Down Chemicals Andrew N Liveris.  If the workers or the public get sick, who is responsible,

EPA Prius, director, the president, or Dow Chemical?

Note: written in May 2017. Saved Draft. Released online. Oct 16, 2017. 

Good microbes love real food. Feed yourself good healthy, real food. MS
Thanks to Bill Gates conversation with Ed Young about microbes and  the coming documentary on microbes http://www.cnn.com/shows/unseen-enemy/  for inspiring me to write this In the Nutshell - about the good microbes in our guts- for busy people.
Email me if you have questions.

Trump's Cabinet Pick: what could this means for the environment?

Dakota Access Pipeline Easement permit Denied. Environmental Assessment will follow.

After months of pacific resistance by indigenous tribes from North America and the rest of the Americas, the government finally took the decision to halt the project known as the Dakota Access Pipeline. This project that seeks to transport 500K barrels of crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois have not been granted the easement it was seeking. Instead they suppose to complete an environmental assessment and possible find new routes for the pipeline if approved.
One of the main sources of conflict concerning the debated route was that it puts at risk the water of indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. The protestors those called themselves the water protectors.  The Standing Rock Tribe reservation is located very near the proposed route thus the tribe was at the center of this cause. The project if approved as it was original stated, would have crossed near/over several sources of water including a portion of the Mississippi river and Lake Oahe. In addition, if a spill were to occur the soil may also be compromised.
Over the pass months Indigenous peoples have also argued for religious rights. The Standing Rock tribe said that the land where the proposed project would pass over sacred land. Their ancestors had been buried in that land which is now under the Corps of Engineers management. They called for the respect of ancient treaties that give them some cultural and religious protection.
The protestors or water protectors directed by the Standing Rock tribe included many Indian Nations, foreign indigenous peoples and outside supporters. The protestors opted for non-violent means of protest and prayer. Even though the protest were meant to be pacific in nature that was not the case. Because of violence exerted against the protestors by the Access Pipeline guards and the North Dakota Police (water canyons), outside observers (e.g., Amnesty International), and news reporters came to report on the protests.
The North Dakota Pipeline Access received protestors that tried to access their facilities with dogs that attacked them. This treatment was covered by Democracy Now an independent news source and because of the impact, it was also published in the general media. The violence against the indigenous peoples seen in the media helped the initial small movement to gather more visibility and adepts. The Dakota government try to indict journalist Amy Goodman from Democracy Now, and protestors which further aggravate the tensions. Later on the North Dakota police also attacked protestor with water hoses and intimidated them with rifles. These developments called for more support and for the public to request the intervention of the Department of Justice.
Environmentalist and concerned citizens from other places travel to the site to support the Indigenous people and to learn about the issue.  In addition to the site protest in North Dakota famously known as NoDALP, citizens gathered in many US cities to protest both the treatment to the indigenous peoples exerted by the Dakota Police as well as the environmental implications of an oil pipeline.
While The Standing Rock Tribe leaders met with Obama early on (Oct 25th, 2016), it wasn't until today (Dec 4th, 2016) that the President of the United States Mr. Barak Obama, The Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Justice --reached the decision to halt the project, and informed the protestors. Then Standing Rock Tribe published the news.
The Indigenous people rejoiced and were thankful to the president and the Army Corps for doing the right thing. It is not everyday that one sees this type of development in a conflict of this magnitude. This gives us hope that negotiations and pacific solutions are possible. This give us hopes that the rules and regulations that suppose to protect the people indeed may favor them rather than corporations.
Since, a new presidential administration is about to take place next month, the corporate side hopes for a new decision that favors them while the indigenous people expect for the decision taken today to be respected. This is still an open book.

MSantana
Ecologist
December 4th. Environmental News highlight.
Disclosure: I have been advocating in favor of an environmental assessment, and in favor of #noDALP.

An Environmental Assessment Needed for North Dakota Pipeline

Why an environmental assessment is required for the proposed pipeline.
1. It is a massive 7500 project crossing several states.
2. The cost- benefit analysis of such project need to be evaluated. Number of jobs/potential cost of environmental damage, land change, and potential spills. Where do the oil will go and to whom it will benefit? According to Bobby Kennedy Jr. the oil will be sent to China and only about 30 jobs will be created. If that is the case, could you said it is worth to risk the water of so many towns?
3. If the pipeline spills it is usually the USA government (tax payers) who will have to pay for repairs and environmental remediation.
4. Which towns -populations- may risk water pollution?
5. What are the implications of creating conflict between Indigenous people and the Corps of Engineers? (aka Government.)

Environmental News: President Barak Obama and Standing Rock Sioux meet about ND pipeline. #NoDPL #News

Mirna Santana
Biologist/writer

The Joy of Nature: Fall Colors

In the splendor and beauty of this Autumn or Fall season we experience awe. This is the season that perhaps best shows us the delicate threads of life, the temporality of things. This beauty would last but a few days or at most a few weeks. Then it is gone, and the trees will be bare and yet in that nudity, they are ready to confront the harsh winter.  We may experience this beauty just as it is or we can do so with the curiosity of a child or the inquiring mind of a scientist. Why do the colors change?

Some of my most special moments of contemplating nature happens when we experience nature as it is.  It is the experience of being alive and being just another living creature within the environment. For example, It was a magic moment when I experienced the splendor of this tree in its pick colors and let that experience travel within my body, integrating it into my whole being. The experience of togetherness with nature happens just before the decision of placing my bag on the ground and proceeding to take the picture. Because the first moment was pure contemplation and in the second the rational mind was involved. Yet, as I love taking snap shoots of all things nature, I also experience the joy of an ordinary daily activity. As a trained scientist, there is also that wonder and inquiring about nature and what we observe. Do we really know what the changing trees are doing?

As it happens, the tree is doing a lot through this changing process. The changes are also the result of physiological responses to changes in environmental conditions. The tree receives the signals of the upcoming winter (cold days with some warm ones, less light, cloud covers) and starts to get ready for it. Many processes are involved in the changing colors. Some are physiological responses that scientists understand such as relocation of nitrogen and nutrients before the leaf falls and the protective value of anthocyanin, red pigments from chlorophyll inhibition. Less light and colder temperatures let the trees know that they can stop producing chlorophyll, the green pigments and the more efficient among plant pigments. But the tree needs to be alive when the chlorophyll is not working for the tree. Other pigments take the job of continuing the processes such as carotenoids (orange, yellowish colors to stand out. Eco-physiological responses to weather (less light, cold days) and cloud cover bring about anthocyanins (red pigment) to the game. Others potential evolutionary or coevolutionary processes that may signal herbivores to get off the plant or residents to move on, because the leaves are going to fall are not well studied and thus not well understood. When I first so the hypothesis I thought all things mushrooms (I am biased towards them.) There is a link between the mushrooms above and those below the trees, because the leaves of all trees eventually fall.  A suit of ecological hypotheses including the defense mechanism activation to avoid predation by signaling danger (red) and other hypothesis have been proposed. Other theoretical works suggest physical/environmental factors such as soil moisture, temperature, tree position and status (dominant tree vs seedling), amount of light available and so on, play stronger roles in the outcome of the colors.  However, funding for studies that do not involve molecular or genetics are low these days so many field scientists take data on leaf phenology (changes) and correlated patterns to available environmental data (e.g. precipitation) through time. Yet many of us, would not seek answer to these questions and mostly watch the colors as tourist do.

Speaking of tourism, the Autumn brings about a lot of tourism and economic incentive to several states and countries. The colors are more intense in the USA and Canada than they tend to be in Europe. Seasonal variations influence the outcome of the colors . But if you are going to any place famous for the Autumn colors, you do not need to concern about what causes the changes. The leaf trackers (e.g., Department of Natural Resources) or the tourist agencies, webpages and brochures could tell you when and where the colors are picking. They will tell you what the best locations are for you to take your trip to observe the Autumn in its magnificence. If you do, you and the trees would be somehow 'conspiring' to bring more wealth to those regions. Of course, the trees never get pay for providing aesthetic value or moments of awe. For those who enjoy the changing trees on their yards, the raking of leaves may be another time for peaceful relaxation or rage. Cities in which the conditions allow for these scenes of changing colors wisely invest on planting attractive deciduous trees. The trees naturally respond to the conditions and make their residents and visitors glad. Because we already know that nature has a positive impact on the wellbeing of people, and the wealth of cities, I say, lets stop here and lets get out to enjoy the Autumn colors while they last.

Copyrights © Mirna Santana
Biologist and Freelance writer
Published by Mirna Santana blog on Environment, October 2016.

Stopping the trade of ivory and other endangered species

By passing the 1401 measure on November 3rd 2014, Washington state (WA), joins New York, New Jersey and California which previously passed similar measures prohibiting the trade of ivory from elephant and rhinos. The WA  measure goes beyond ivory by also banning the trade of parts sourced from other endangered animals. Wild cats such as lions, leopards and cheetahs. Other endangered land animals covered by the measure are the scaly ant eaters known as pangolins. Some aquatic species are also included in this measure. Among these are marine turtles (hunted for their shells, e.g., carey a material similar to ivory), as well sharks and rays. The passing of the measure was celebrated by environmentalist including The Wildlife Federation who stated in a tweet:

National Wildlife ‏@NWF

Thanks to friends of #wildlife in WA voting #YesOn1401, the fight against extinction has scored a big win: http://bit.ly/1RVt7xD

The measure affects the sales, exchange (trade or barter), and commercialization of ivory less than 100 years old. Some exceptions were made for items such as musical instruments that may contain low amounts of ivory. These restrictions caused the opposition of antique dealers and other animal product dealers. They argue that the measure is unfair, in part because their items were acquired before the measure. In addition, the opposing viewers argue that the funds used for lobbying and advertise the measure could be used at the source of the problem, to defeat poachers.

The passing of the measure involved large contributions by microsoft co-founder Mr. Paul Allen ($2M), and many other donors. Mr. Allen has long advocated for wildlife in Africa. Yet, he along with advocates for the measure consider that changing trading laws in the USA, state by state would help to decrease poaching elsewhere, by decreasing the demand for the ivory or desired product. More about the campaign that lead to the passing of the banning on ivory and parts from other endangered animals (1401 measure) can be seen at the campaign site http://saveanimalsfacingextinction.org 

“Every day, endangered species like elephants and rhinos are slaughtered to fuel a lucrative trade in unnecessary products made of ivory or horn. We must attack the economic incentives associated with trafficking wildlife products and give law enforcement the tools needed to shut down the networks that contribute to this criminal activity. We all have a responsibility to protect endangered animals, and Washington State can serve as a model to lead the way in disrupting the market for these products. If we turn away from our responsibility to protect our planet, these species will become extinct.” Philantropist Paul G. Allen (endorsement for the campaign, save animalsfacingextinction.org)

---

 He also tweeted:

1. Paul Allen ‏@PaulGAllen Nov 3

   Great victory passing @Yeson1401! A strong message to the country--we can save endangered animals a world away http://saveanimalsfacingextinction.org 

   
   

   
   

   Several media sources pointed out the problem of enforcement of this type of measure due to the lack of resources by the wildlife protection agencies. While this is certainly a constraint, the existence of regulations are known to decrease the activities. On the other hand, the trade may now just move to the states that do not regulate or restrict the commercialization of ivory or other banned products. This is why ultimately to effectively target  the global trade of endangered species, these measures need to be passed in all the states within the US (a major source of buyers),  and by many other countries. The trade of endangered species is regulated by international agreements but again local enforcement and regulations lack behind. Another downside of the measure is that it may increase the prices as the trade goes underground. Poachers being prosecuted and underground traders may elevate the prices due to the risk of their operation on the shadow of the laws. 

   
   

   Animal trade is an ancient human activity that require a change in perspective, the human perspective. We need to allow the other species to live without being hunted and killed in cruel ways to obtain products such as artifacts and potions. While the pre-historic human may have great need for animal products in order to survive, what we have now is a persistent lack of caring for the right of other living creatures. Because of these utilitarian views and our entitlement as a dominant species, we have grown to belief that we have the rights over the use of the earth and all its living creatures in ways that are not necessarily conducive to their survival or our survival as a species. 

   
   

   Ecologically, these animals play a role in nutrient cycling, the food chain, the control of pest and other roles we may not even know yet (most of these rare species are not sufficiently studied). Image if  a butterfly flapping its wings could induce change elsewhere - the butterfly effect--what does the movement of massive animals such as elephants may do in the larger content? Lets stop and re-think our ways. We should not need laws to know what is right and what is not?In addition to passing the laws I hope groups like save animals from extinction, continue to work on education campaigns. Today there is a great need to bring people close to nature in all possible ways. People need to see the beauty of these living creatures in their habitats in order to understand their rights to live and thrive as we do. 

   
   

   To learn more about the effect of traffic on endangered populations:

   Traffic: UCN and WWF initiative to stop trade 

   Adopt a tiger: WWF initiatives to counteract illegal trade.

   
   

   
   

   
   

Federal Judge Return Gray Wolf To The Endangered List

Grey Wolf by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Federal Judge order  that the grey wolf get listed as an endangered species. This allow to protect the animals from trappers, license hunting, hunting with dogs, and other forms of killing.  This decision will cover The following Midwest States: Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

At least in Wisconsin the last harvest wolf hunting exceeded the quota per region and total (by 1.)
For scientists concerned with wolf management this is a relief. The science was not at the same pace with the decision of providing licenses for hunting. The decision to provide licenses was implemented rapidly, and was politically more that scientifically driven.  As a result, in some areas female pack leaders were killed. The hunters also tend to target what they consider trophy specimens of the species rather than what DNR will call problem animals.  Harvest of animals by the public (licensed or not) without consideration of the pack health maybe detrimental for the populations of wolves in this area. If there is any control, it perhaps should be done by rangers familiar with the packs. DNR argues that they won't be able to control animals that attack domestic animals such as dogs or cattle. This may be a problem with the regulations, and in any case they should negotiate for exceptions but not for open hunting the way it was this year.
The decision by the federal court also revert a previous controversial decision to allow trained dogs to hunt wolves. The owners of those dogs can't no longer train these animals for the purpose of hunting wolves.  DNR pays a fee if a dog is killed by a wolf. I suppose that is valid even for trained dogs driven to track wolves out of season. The hunters can take a wolf for the price of their license.  Hunters were also allowed to use traps, which are really damaging to the animals that fall in them. How is it possible that us who understand pain in humans (e.g., broken limbs), may decide to purposely impose such damages and the torture that this may imply to another mammal who may feel as much pain--similar nervous system.  This decision is probably be fight by the pro-hunting interest. In the mean time  scientist and managers may come to the table and find better ways to understand and manage wolf populations. This time many also  serve for both hunters and wolves lovers to come together and recognize that this animal belong to the wild. The ecosystem needs large predators such as wolves.  Aldo Leopold who for years was involved in the hunting decisions later in his life recognized the big gap represented by the absence of this powerful species on the land.  The land does not belong only to humans and we need to learn to share it.  Although living with predators may scare us, the damage by large animals is very low compared with more familiar things such as cars.

If you visit the Facebook Wolf Hunting Community- There a is a picture with many lifeless animal being throw down like rocks from a pick up. All along the web one may found pictures of the trophy animals the hunters harvested. There is pride on killing other species, just because they can and are allowed by law. This is not management, this is trophy hunting. It is what an open hunting season allows. It is a policy that needs consideration and reviewing. Now, there is an opening for that.

Real population management needs to be done by conscious and knowledgeable trained people. People who know not only to pull the trigger, but also what does it mean for a particular pack the removal of the specific individual.  Management also involves to relocate or take away an animal that is dangerous or aggressive, or to close to people. Most people would agree with that measure. Management may also mean managing for contagious diseases by which the removal of one or many individuals may save the others. Although hunters and managers could come out with many ways to rationalize their need to kill an animal, the fact is that in other areas, management is done different.  Ranchers at Yellowstone have shown  that it is possible to  do grow cattle and coexist with the wolves. In fact some of the means appear to be very inexpensive, such as investing in plastic fences-- made of moving plastic flags. Why is this not extensively applied?
Can we rethink our ways?

Obituary: To the young skunk that is gone...

Dead skunk left with a last expression of pain, the last lament.

Obituary:
Were you my neighbor skunk? The one I leave food for? I wonder. We rarely encounter, though you--if that was you, always let me know you have been around. I noticed that you didn't like leftover of bread. I am sorry about the accident. Someone must have not seen you crossing the street. Those dark clothes of yours may not have been safe for the road crossing. At least someone put you on the side, that was nice. Or did you manage to walk in pain, and lie there? How long did you suffer? I am sorry.
You know many people think that animals don't feel pain, but that is not possible. You were a mammal like us, with all those nerves, of course it must had hurt.I see it in your face. And, the feelings?I am sure you have family and friends...I wonder if you ''thought'' of them during those last moments. Did you have feelings? Anger, love...that stuff? Did you have a crush on a lady skunk?
They will count you as another road kill. You know lately, they say the populations of your people are increasing because more of your kind are dying on the roads. Could it be, that you have lost your wild food, your preferred habitat, or that you discovered the trash...and, then it was an easy move.
I wonder whether is good or not to leave the leftovers to share with your fellows that are still here. I hope you didn't die hungry. Can you live forever in a skunk spirit? Good bye!

Gray Wolf hunting by the numbers

This information concerns only to the state of Wisconsin where wolf hunting permits have been granted for 2012 wolf hunting season. The main picture and some of the resources for this note were obtained from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) Wolf Management Section 2011-2012. 

Estimated wolf population in Wisconsin as 2011: ~800 (782-824, 202-203 packs, 19 loners, and 31 on Indian reservations. The hunting permits apply to outside reservation specified hunting zones)

How many wolves can the state of Wisconsin support: 700-1000
Maximum estimated historical population (highest pick 1830s): 3000-5000. No censuses were conducted then. Censuses started in the 90s.

Wolves were locally extinct by 1960s: population zero or near zero or zero sightings. This was associated with the increase in deer hunting as a sport activity, and non-tolerance for wolves as competitors for pray.

How many deers do wolves really eat? approximately 20/year (estimates based on current wolf populations). For Wisconsin, DNR researchers estimate that 30 livestock and 30 domestic animals (dogs) may be killed by wolves yearly. Accounting for all wolves in the state deer lost to wolves is about 16,000. This represents only 1/10 of the deer killed during hunting season.

How many deer are killed by hunters during hunting season? The number varies by year, policies observed and other factors. The most recent numbers:
During the first two opening days of the 2011 season ~600,000 hunters registered 112,581 deer killed in two days. This number alone surpasses the total deer estimate for a whole year.

How many deer are killed in car accidents (anthropogenic/human activity)?: 800

How many people apply for wolf hunting permits: 20,000

How many permits do the lottery would grant: 1600

WDNR quota for 2011 harvest: 116 wolves

Total wolves killed after the 2011 hunting season: 110. The season opened on Oct 25, 2012 and ended on Dec 23, 2011. The harvest was set up by quotas per region/management zones.  Originally, the season supposed to be open until the quota was reached and it was expected to be open until February 2013, although the quota was reached in less than two months.  (last update Dec 27, 2012)
 
Estimated pop 2011 before harvest season=~800 wolves. Now the numbers are below 700.

My Today's favorite Science News: Elvis the robots that knows when you lie...

A University of Arizona team developed a robot that can detect with an accuracy of 90% whether you are lying or not! The robot will be initially used to screen people at the airports entry points. This robot was custom design to meet the needs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP).  Although CBP counts with very good human agents, who are trained to detect even professional liers, they can only humanly detect 54% of the total liers.  But this new Super Agent of Truth, Special Agent 'Elvis', will detect any attempt on your side to lie.

Elvis official name is  Automated Virtual Agent for Truth Assessments in Real-Time. But I think that if CBP uses some marketing, and make Elvis as famous or more than Elvis Presley, or something like the Angel of Truth, even the Mexican Mafia would like to meet him.  For now, most folks will only know Elvis as the Avatar Kiosk, which makes Elvis only another ATM-like machine with man Avatar. The difference though is that you may speak like if you were speaking to a person. If you are Catholic, you may even confess to him, instead of feeling shameful in front of the priest. I am seeing all sort of potential with Elvis. He can be hired by Universities for admission purposes; by the policy as an interview detective; by the FBI as Special Agent Elvis; our even by You, the successful owner of a business, to increase the truthfulness factor of your labor force...

Super Agent Elvis, will solve more than CBP screening entry needs.  People who suffer from anxiety, or score low in social skills, could totally avoid humans and instead meet Elvis. Also, all the generations of game players and machine and avatar lovers, would also identify with Elvis. Finally, CBP has also entered in Second Life and people could met their dreamed Elvis for real.  Besides that, everybody else who sweat having to pass customs, and want to avoid humiliating moments, may also go to talk to Elvis. Go to Elvis and avoid the hassle, could be the new CBP Slogan.  I bet they soon will be creating more Elvis'clones or firing some human agents. 

I recommend that University of Arizona in association with the Department of Home Land Security, FBI, and CBP, buy some of those good looking Chinese and Japanese robots, like the ones they have in their technology fairs, to improve new Elvis prototypes. People would think of that human-like robots are more personable. They may even be friendly and provide free handshakes. In the future CBS will hire agents, not to screen you for the truthfulness factor, but to protect their Special robot agents from stalkers and from being harassed by humans.

Some potentials problems for Elvis will include finding a way to rid himself of the pesky testers or those who fall in love with the machine, or those who want to practice their flirting skill with the robot.

For now, Customs and University of Arizona can make some money for more research by promoting the contest  "Do you think you could defeat Elvis?"  The sponsors for more Truth, could offer big cash prizes or CBP could offer an entire year of express pass by custom. 

ps. Please come visit again, next time I will have my very own Manga version of Elvis!
ps2. I first read this in CNN  Meet Elvis: The Virtual Border Official Who Knows You are Lying

Hey guys you are only a gene away from monkeys...

Y chromosomes in males has lost only one gene compared to the monkeys. That gene may be very important... and not only for male reproduction (insert laughs). The Joy of Science, that is  the title of a book I read a while ago. This is also an emotion I felt when I was reading Nature News. Yes, I was laughing...and it was not because of males lacking one thing monkeys still have. I know you guys have gained so much with that little loss...but really, our science is not only funny but highly controversial and exciting too!

Sometimes reading about controversial science views, new discoveries, the way someone interpret results, and so on, one find oneself participating in that old fashion soap opera of science.  The controversies and anti-controversies...the paradigms and destruction of paradigms. The rise and fall of theories. As they say, everything that rise may fall.

Australian scientists predicted the disappearance of the Y gene, and recently other scientists said no way. The Y chromosome, containing our male genes...no they are not going away. Amanacera y veremos--the sun will rise, and we will see.

A while ago, Australian scientists have predicted the disappearance of the Y gene. Their assessment was based in the absence of Y chromosome in some mammalian species, such as certain voles and thus the male of our species. They predicted that the male gene could disappear within the next 10 millions years.  One of the scientist involved in that study consider that the human y chromosome many duplications is a tell story of its demise. Yet, that does not mean the demise of males. The study found that the information for the expression of male feature in species that have lost their Y chromosome was relocated.

I was not imagining a world without males of our species. How boring the world would turn out to be? It would make a good science fiction story though. No brother, no lover, no father, etc., The males of our species are rather interesting creatures.

Would the lost of the Y gene correlate to the demise of Patriarchism, and the decrease of testosterone driven violence? I don't mean to be hopeless, but I bet that both roles, the 'patriarchal stereotype ruler' and the violent gang, would be taken by a segment of the female population. Haven't we seen how people get rid of their oppressors just to rise a new generation of them.

Independently of our science controversies, evolution will continue and will tell the stories. The scientist of the future will elucidate the outcome. They will say how close or far the scientist in the last two decades were.

Birds, ecosystem services and economy

Do you know that birds help states/towns local economies? Birds are providing ecosystem services for people, and their beauty has an economic value for the places they depend on/ their habitats. Do you know how many people travel as tourist to see birds in Florida, Michigan, or Wisconsin? And how many people go around the globe to places in the tropics, high mountains or deserts in search of feathery beings. The more rare, the more exciting a bird is for bird watchers. Some people would go to almost the end of the world...to see puffins? By doing so they are making themselves happy and at the same time contributing to those local economies. There are great revenues for localities, for small and large business and for entire cities based on the whereabouts of birds.


Types of ecosystems services provided by birds: provisioning (for example food), regulating (for example, participating in the cycling of nutrients); cultural (people identify with birds, for example, in the U.S., the bald eagle represent the strength of the country); other types of services are calling supporting services (e.g., birds serve as pollinators for crops and also control pest). 


Roles of birds in the ecosystem:

• predators
• pollinators
• scavengers
• seed eaters/seed dispersers
• prey or food for other species (or humans/recreational activities such as hunting)
• ecosystem engineers (some species have the ability to transform/or drive ecosystem change)
• other services driven by bird behavior: participation on nutrient cycling, feeding nutrients to plants. In some urban areas, the presence of excess of birds such as geese in nearby lakes may cause pollution or health concerns. By contrast, the presence of birds in other areas, e.g., eagles or kingfish in a river attract tourists. 
• Other services: birds can benefit agriculture (by controlling pest or providing pollination services to crops such as grapes or coffee); birds may cause crop loses by predating in a cash crop. 
• Migratory birds participate in ecosystem process at broad scales. They may transfer products from an area to another. Birds have been linked to the spread of invasive species at regional levels and to the spread of zootic/animal transmitting diseases such as viruses. 

References: 
Jedicka, Greenberg and Letourneau, 2011. Avian conservation practices strengthen ecosystem services in California vineyards.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22096555


Whelan and Marquis, 2008. Ecosystem Services provided by birds.  Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2008;1134:25-60. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18616745

Kellerman, Johnson, Stercho and Hackett, 2008. Ecological and economic services provided by birds on Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee farmsConserv Biol. 2008 Oct;22(5):1177-85.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18616745

How to identify birds eggs? And how are humans 'like' eggs?

How do scientist or bird watchers identify bird eggs?

- by anatomical comparisons and also using molecular tools.

What does an amateur needs to identify the eggs of different bird species?

-anatomical comparisons or a careful look at the egg morphology: egg color, size, and texture.

-In addition you need to learn about the behavior of the birds, nesting habits, type of preferred habitat and so on.

-a good actualized birds egg field guide.

-a lot of practice!

Imagine that you could see just an egg and say, this is a crane, a parrot, a woodpecker, a tern,or an specific species of owl? Wouldn't it be impressive? And you may wonder what is that for? How can it help anybody?

Because several species of birds have been treatened by human ways--habitat destruction or change, pesticides, illegal trades, and yes even egg collecting, some species of birds are protected. In the United States, the Endangered Species Act is the regulation that have been brought about to protect these species and their habitats. If you like to know more about endangered species please see the UICN Red list of threatened species; or endangered species -The global list of endangered species [earth endangered species] http://www.earthsendangered.com/list.asp

Collecting birds eggs is against the law for many birds. As for those that are not protected, think about it twice or as many times you need. Why would you need their eggs? It is expensive to produce eggs. It takes a lot of energy...and they do it with the hopes to pass their genes. Let those eggs where you see them. Let them become new birds, part of the food chain or rotten eggs.

If you come across one endangered species eggs, take a picture and an information about the site. Many phones allow you to save the location. Inform your local Audubon chapter and write a petition to establish protected that particular area.

read more:

How to identify birds eggs? And how are humans 'like' eggs?

How People and Animals Learn ( Source PNAS- Oct 2011)

How do we learn by instruction and experience-- and how does negative negative feedback may influence our learning

Mattew Walch and John Anderson both scientists at the Department of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon, have corroborated through probabilistic experiments and modeling that humans and animals learn from trial-and-error interactions, experiences with the environment, but also through non-experiential situations that are recorded in the neural reward pathways.

The researchers made use of electroencephalograms (EGG), separated by components, and a set of paired cues to  validate the viability of reinforcement learning as a model of behavioral adaptation-- and/or as the result of neural reward pathways. 

They hypothesized that because learning through trial error is inefficient and potentially dangerous for humans, other mechanisms of learning may be highly valuable. The ability to learn from non-experiential exposure was found to be not only advantageous, but also rewarded (assimilated through neural pathways.)

The researchers studied instruction or the lack of it as their model for behavioral adaptation through neural pathways. The participants were given probabilistic assignments, and the events were tracked and scored for later analysis. The test groups were separated as follow:

Test group 1: received feedback indicating response reward--after each task.
Test group 2:  received the same feedback given to test group 1 and additional instructions about the reward probabilities, before they conducted another task.

The researchers found that "instruction eliminated participants’ reliance on feedback." By contrast, negative responses related to feedback and the event-related potential, both associated with neural reward prediction errors keep adapting with experience. Both groups benefited from experience.

The research findings suggest that while instruction may influence or control behavior right away, certain neural responses must be learned from experience.

How much BP is giving back after the Gulf Disaster: the value of ecosystem services

Do you remember the underestimates of the total amount of oil being delivery to the ocean? It was not unexpected, the fact that it made people furious causing them to stop buying BP gas, did make them react...at least a little.

Does it make you furious now to know that from an estimated of 40 billions, the company is paying as little as 7 million? When I first saw BP website and if you look no further, you may even be happy to know they appear to be involved in research and are showing themselves as environmental/peoples concerns. Perhaps, they are, don't get me wrong. I believe in the power of change. Yet I also think  that MATH or dollar numbers has long recognized by business people, and pretty much any body else as a good estimate of the value we give to anything from our clothing to the water we drink and the gas we pay at the pump. Do you want shrimp and fish from the Golf...you may have it and you will need to pay the price. Shall those clamps you are having for dinner include also a good dosage of oil? Of course not, yet that is what many people got for a while.

So look at the numbers:

"BP said today it expects the cost of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster to be $7.7bn (£4.8bn) bigger than previously thought, pushing the total bill to nearly $40bn." Weiner, The Guardian, UK. Nov 2, 2010
BO oil spill costs hits 40-billion-dollars by November 2010

Total BP paid or approved money for claims: $7,517,983,789  This number includes both government and private business.

How much more they will assign to clean the Gulf, to conduct independent or government research? How much are they willing to give back to compensate for the damages....and how much would be acceptable if they would decide to close the gap between $40 billions and 7 millions? Perhaps a major problem is that that decision lies on them. And, we know most business would try to minimize what they consider loss of money while increasing their profits.

Could we ask them to value ecosystem services, both those for the public and those for their business. If they don't could we assign acceptable money * money exchange for damages?

Why is it that many business are not able and not willing to care for the land that provides them with resources/or in this case the ocean?

Are the utilitarian views, or even Christian base views responsible for us appropriating nature at such a large degree that we(business) can profit from nature without considering long-term consequences?

In fact, our definition of Economy=resources base good,  and resource scarcity. The more scarce the resource is the more people are willing to pay for the good.  Less gas, more money for BP and more possibilities for oil companies to keep drilling. These companies are sure that we are not stopping our oil/fuel dependence  any time soon. The business of oil is an stable business and good it has great prospects.

With incentives this companies were able to profit when the rest of the economy had been falling down...What does this tell us? It shall tell us that they can give more back.

So why don't they feel the need to support the very systems that support them? Could it be that they prefer to promote scarcity?

Why is that society at large, and politicians--in theory the representatives of society-- do not ask oil companies to be accountable for prevention measures, for proper maintenance of their engineering devices, and structural systems, and in this case for pay offs after the damage has been already made?  And, if the companies said their share holders are who determine the decision-making...why is it there is no way to regulate the value of the few in comparison with the values/goods and services for the majority?

It is already time for re-evaluations, for policy changes, for transparency, and for the public/governments to ask for more accountability from business that profit from Nature Resources. We can't keep supporting corporate behaviors that are causing enormous problems to humanity and to the natural resources that are not only here to serve us, but are the house of planets earth other species...that contribute to the biochemical balance we need to survive.

Lets correct the course or the corporate centric_ship!

Claims from BP webpage http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9036580&contentId=7067577

Payments	Amount Paid
Gulf Coast Claims Facility Payments (Individuals & Businesses) 1	$5,499,978,386
Gulf Coast Claims Facility Payments (Fund for Real Estate Brokers and Agents) 1	$54,434,575
Claims Paid by BP Prior to August 23rd (Individuals and Businesses)	$395,619,857
Total Payments to Individuals and Businesses	$5,950,032,818
Response and Removal Advances	$476,640,000
Response and Removal Payments 2, 3, 4, 5	$773,332,953
Loss of Revenue	$27,792,276
Increased Public Service Costs	$2,401,888
Payments to Government for Advances and Claims	$1,280,167,117
Payments to Individuals, Businesses, and Governments for Advances and Claims	$7,230,199,935
Other Payments 6http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9036580&contentId=7067577	$285,241,352
Total Payments (Includes Advances, Claims, and Other Payments)	$7,515,441,287
Trust Payments	$5,852,586,080
Non-Trust Payments	$1,662,855,207
Approved Additional Government Payments (In Process for Payment)	$2,542,502
Total Paid or Approved for Payment	$7,517,983,789
1 Data provided by GCCF as of 10/31/11 2 Includes payments made to Federal government and other government entities. 3 Includes $260 million of the $360 million committed for Louisiana Berm Project. 4 Includes amounts paid prior to August 23, 2010 via Unified Command. 5 Includes government requests paid by BP Claims Process prior to August 23, 2010. 6 Includes payments for Research, Tourism, Behavioral Health, Contributions, and Other Response Payments.

For the Love of Nature and Fellow Human Beings: A Tribute Wangari Muta Maathai

For the Love of Nature and Fellow Human Beings: A Tribute Wangari Muta Maathai

In 2004, Professor Wangari Maathai of Kenya, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her contributions to environmental conservation, government reforms, and social and environmental justice. She was also recognized for the creation of The Green Belt Movement, a group whose viIn 2004, Professor Wangari Maathai of Kenya, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her contributions to environmental conservation, government reforms, and social and environmental justice. She was also recognized for the creation of The Green Belt Movement, a group whose vision is to tie environmental conservation to people's empowerment.

Professor Maathai knew that empowered people could ask their governments to respect their rights and to do what is right. She was a scholar and also an activist for human rights and democracy.

Professor Mathai have leave behind a legacy of trees and earthy voices to follow on the task.

Our inner fish a fossil from our past

In the book Our Inner Fish, a Fossil From Our Past, Neal Shubin tells the story of the discovery of a missing link in our evolutionary history. More than that, this book tells a story of scientific quest and persistence. The scientists involved went through many hardships and set backs, which many forget are truly the behind the scenes in science. This is how science works.

The fossil was “a low fin fish, with scales, neck, lungs and gills. A fish with limbs, wrist joints, and elbow joints but no fingers.”
“These fish had the ability to live in shallow water and mud—the interface between water and land” he says. Shubin and his team had unveiled a missing link, a piece of our own evolutionary history.
Read more:
Our inner fish a fossil from our past

Do cave visitors and enthusiast spread the white nose disease that affect bats?

If you have visited a cave recently, make sure to sterilize your equipment, and even your clothes and shoes before visiting another site. Scientists who study bats are concerned about the spread of fungal spores from one cave to another. Before entering a cave, you may need to fill a survey or leave behind items that have been using during visits to other caves. It is important to cooperate with such requests to avoid being a disease vector.

Bats are part of healthy ecosystems. Around the world there is a great diversity of bats. Some bat species serve as predators of insects thereby controlling pest.  Some bats also provide ecosystem services by pollinating plants. A great number of bats species are frugivorous, and thus they help with seed dispersal.  A few bat species eat fish or frogs, and only a handful of species are known to feed on blood. Other animals such as snakes and birds of prey such as owls need bats as their food source.  Many plants and soil communities also benefits from bat feces known as 'guano', which is a powerful fertilizer. Overall bats are a diverse group and play key roles in natural, agro-ecosystems, and even farms.


Ecosystem Services by bats controlling pest are calculated to be around 3 billions/year --yet perhaps underestimated (Paul Cryan, USGS). Bats pollination, seed dispersal, insect controlling services or just their own value as mammals within ecosystems hasn't been estimated


More on white nose bats and potential human carriers
The News: Fungus sweeps across the country, killing bats http://t.co/ikF5Zqv(White nose fungus that affects bats likely transmitted by humans)
Smithsonian magazine
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/multimedia/videos/Are-Spelunkers-Carrying-the-White-Nose-Fungus.html