Sight Magazine’s Post

A ubiquitous, resilient and seemingly harmless plant is fueling an increase in large, fast- moving and destructive #wildfires in the United States. Grass is as plentiful as sunshine, and under the right weather conditions is like gasoline for wildfires: All it takes is a spark for it to explode. Planet-warming emissions are wreaking havoc on temperature and precipitation, resulting in larger and more frequent fires. Those fires are fueling the vicious cycle of #ecological destruction that are helping to make grass king. Over the last three decades, the number of US homes destroyed by wildfire has more than doubled as fires burn bigger and badder, a recent study found. Most of those homes were burned not by forest fires, but by fires racing through grass and shrubs. #ecosystem #specieshabitate #biodiversity #wildlife #climatechange #wildfires

Exploring future risks of climate-driven wildfires in boreal forests with FLAM model. Burned areas expected to triple by 2100 under worst-case conditions. https://lnkd.in/dHhSP_ww #ClimateChange #Wildfires #BorealForests #FLAMModel #AdaptationStrategies

Is that a mouse scurrying under the thick grass? Nope, that's a Saltmarsh Sparrow! The saltmarsh sparrow is a small puff of a bird that is uniquely adapted to living (and nesting) within a habitat that floods regularly. Endemic to the east coast of the United States, they are extreme salt marsh specialists and even build their nests in the intertidal zone. They stick to coastal salt marsh habitats, nesting in cordgrass and salt hay along the Atlantic Coast from southern Maine to Virginia, but spend the winters in salt marshes a bit farther south. But sea-level rise has made the sparrow’s existence unpredictable and precarious. Researchers believe the sparrow could go extinct as early as 2035. Because they rely on the cyclical nature of tides for nesting, increased unpredictable flooding events from coastal storms and accelerating sea-level rise has caused a big population decline. The Nature Conservancy and partners are researching saltmarsh sparrows as well as other obligate salt marsh birds like willets, seaside sparrows, and clapper and black rails. Researchers are prioritizing the restoration of salt marshes that support these sparrows and other species that rely on them. Learn more about these "mice of the marsh" on TNC's Cool Green Science blog: https://lnkd.in/eyHFN4im 📸 Photo: terence zahner/iNaturalist #CoolGreenScience #SaltmarshSparrow #sealevelrise #climatechange

(Un)#Bear(able) news and naive thoughts of Monday Blue Is it #ClimateChange melting #glacier OR #HumanThreat that is killing #polarbears? Or, should we say climate change has minimal risk compared to #land grab by #humans? Why does #tranquillisers do not work on #Bears? How much cheap to kill a bear compared to relocate it? Why #bears and #Wildlife should be careful to #immigrate to #Iceland?

The modern fire problem we face requires a deep shift in our societal understanding of wildland fire and how we leverage it. Unbalanced, overgrown, and ecologically stressed landscapes are increasingly susceptible to extreme fire behavior. Putting good fire back into these ecosystems can result in a wide range of ecological and cultural benefits – from promoting growth of culturally-significant plants to mitigating future wildfire risk. Intentional fire, a subset of beneficial fire, is one key approach we can take to better cultivate a relationship with the land, build community around stewardship practices, and improve overall resilience to catastrophic wildfire. To help you learn more about this approach and how it impacts our landscapes, we’ve launched a new, educational website centered on intentional fire. Click here to explore: https://lnkd.in/gX7MHz5z. #climateandwildfire #wildfire #wildlandfire #extremefire #firerisk #firemanagement #intentionalfire #beneficialfire #goodfire #prescribedfire #culturalfire #fireecology #landstewardship #landscaperesilience

Did you know it's estimated the UK used to be 25% Atlantic Temperate Rainforest? In the last few thousand years this has dwindled down to just 1%. Last weekend I got to spend some time at Cabilla Cornwall, on the most gorgeous retreat with Calli & Deanne from Flow State Hove We got to spend time in the forest, seeing all the mugworts and lungworts, learning about the effect of lycopenes on us and the perils of exploding deer populations on our landscapes. We talked about the beavers (Sigourney Beaver, Jean-Claude Van Dam and kits Beavie Wonder & Beavie Nicks), the need for Lynx and Wolves and the Mother Tree phenomenon. A lot remains unknown about our temperate rainforests, all rainforest research funding goes to the much warmer climbs of tropical rainforest. In fact, not a single field station exists - so how can we even start to understand, and eventually rebuild. Merlin Hanbury-Tenison has set up the Thousand Year Trust to look at just that, check it out: https://lnkd.in/eA_kt64k

Ever wonder why some birds make an early return to Lake County in February? 🤔 Scientists face the challenge of distinguishing between regular weather fluctuations and the impact of climate change on their behavior, according to this WTTW/Chicago PBS. While it's normal for certain birds to arrive early, there are signs some species are shifting their migration patterns. So, how can we help our feathered friends? 🕊️💚 1️⃣ 𝗦𝘂𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 "𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴": During times when insects are scarce, putting out suet feeders can be a lifeline. 2️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀: Opt for less grass and more native plants. Choose ones that provide fruits or seeds. 🌿🍂 Let's take small steps to create a bird-friendly environment and contribute to their well-being. Together, we can make a difference! 🌎💙

Coastal marshes are vital ecosystems that provide erosion control, storm protection and critical wildlife habitat, yet they face increasing threats from climate change. One promising method to enhance marsh resilience is sediment placement, which helps expand or restore these essential landscapes. For an in-depth look at this strategy, explore this whitepaper published by the ASBPA American Shore and Beach Preservation Association journal by HDR’s Nick Brown, Robert Lewis and other industry experts: https://lnkd.in/gYsPbZCV #Water #Coastal #CoastalRestoration

On #WorldEnvironmentDay with a focus on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience, let’s work for a future where nature, people and wildlife exist in harmony. Our Land, Our Future. #GenerationRestoration #ClimateAction #Forest #Nature #Ecosystem #EcosystemRestoration #PlanetEarth #EarthFocus #WorldEnvironmentDay2024