Bleeding of the Antarctica
On February 24, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine posted photos of the phenomenon to their Facebook page, showing ice around their Vernadsky Research Base—located on the Galindez Island off the coast of Antarctica’s northern Peninsula—covered in what researchers call “raspberry snow” or “watermelon snow”. This red-pigmented algae, also known as Chlamydomonas nivalis, has the potential to jumpstart a feedback loop of warming and melting, worrying scientists about the continued impact of climate change on this critical region.
Walruses can’t afford housing
On February 24, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine posted photos of the phenomenon to their Facebook page, showing ice around their Vernadsky Research Base—located on the Galindez Island off the coast of Antarctica’s northern Peninsula—covered in what researchers call “raspberry snow” or “watermelon snow”. This red-pigmented algae, also known as Chlamydomonas nivalis, has the potential to jumpstart a feedback loop of warming and melting, worrying scientists about the continued impact of climate change on this critical region.
Bushfire
Record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought have fueled a series of massive bushfires across Australia.
Australia’s environment minister has said up to 30% of koalas on the New South Wales mid-north coast may have been killed in the country’s ongoing bushfire crisis.
Locust 2020
A swarm of desert locusts invade parts of Mwingi Town in Kitui County, Kenya, Feb. 20, 2020.
How land is used
Natural Habitat
Over the last few centuries, wild habitats have been squeezed out by turning it into agricultural land.
Half of all habitable land is used for agriculture. This leaves only 37% for forests; 11% as shrubs and grasslands; 1% as freshwater coverage.
Over the last few centuries, wild habitats have been squeezed out by turning it into agricultural land.
Half of all habitable land is used for agriculture. This leaves only 37% for forests; 11% as shrubs and grasslands; 1% as freshwater coverage.
Crop domestication vs biodiversity
The cultivated land is lack of predator species of locusts
The farmlands have much lower biodiversity than wild habitats, which makes the crops more vulnerable while facing disasters such as the locust swarm. Such domestication has made the farmland more vulnerable to locusts.