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Scientists: Haiti’s wildlife faces mass extinction

admin — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 03:32:05 +0000

The loss of amphibian species is often the first warning sign that an ecosystem is in grave danger.

IN DANGER: Critically endangered Haitian frogs recently rescued for captive breeding and cryobanking as insurance against their extinction in the wild. (Photo: Claudio Contreras)

Haiti may be headed for a massive extinction event, one comparable to the sudden disappearance of dinosaurs, a group of biologists from Penn State warns. The group is currently taking action to prevent this loss. Blair Hedges, one of the researchers, has announced the creation of a species-rescue program for Haiti’s threatened frogs and other species.

“During the next few decades, many Haitian species of plants and animals will become extinct because the forests where they live, which originally covered the entire country, are nearly gone,” Hedges said in a statement. “The decline of frogs in particular, because they are especially vulnerable, is a biological early warning signal of a dangerously deteriorating environment. When frogs start disappearing, other species will follow and the Haitian people will suffer, as well, from this environmental catastrophe.”

Multiprong effort

The rescue mission is a multiprong effort to determine which species of amphibians and reptiles currently survive in Haiti, to pinpoint their locations, to discover any new species that previously were not documented scientifically, to relocate live populations of frogs for captive breeding, and to deep-freeze cells at Penn State.

In an attempt to save some of these reptiles, Hedges recently relocated 10 critically endangered frog species from Haiti to a captive-breeding program at the Philadelphia Zoo.

“Captive breeding and cryobanking are two efforts to preserve the species in case they become extinct in Haiti,” Hedges said.

Cryobanking involves the preservation of cells and DNA in liquid nitrogen that will permit whole-animal cloning in case any of the species becomes extinct. In addition, Hedges and the Philadelphia Zoo are working with various Haitian agencies to train Haitians in this conservation research so that they can develop the capacity to breed these species in Haiti themselves.

“A captive-breeding program is a huge responsibility. You have to feed the animals, breed them, and keep them going for years and years, possibly indefinitely,” said Carlos Martinez, amphibian conservation biologist for the Philadelphia Zoo. “But the survival of these species may depend on this work, so it is well worth the effort.”

Warning sign

The loss of amphibian species is often the first warning sign that an ecosystem is in danger. During the last 10 to 20 years, frog species have been disappearing around the world, in part due to a killer fungus that has infected and wiped out many species. Currently, one-third of the 6,000 frog species on Earth are facing extinction.

Haiti’s frogs are even worse off; 92 percent of the country’s 50 frog species are threatened, and most are identified as critically endangered. While there is some hope in the neighboring Dominican Republic, only 20 Haitian frog species can be found there.

One of the greatest threats to the frog population is the destruction of Haitian forests for the production of charcoal, the main fuel source for the country’s 10 million residents.

“We found that as many as 26 species occur together in the isolated mountain forests of southwest Haiti, greatly increasing the threat of mass extinctions when the forests there are cut down,” Hedges said.

“Less than one percent of the original forest is left in Haiti, which is a lower percentage than in any other country that I know of,” Hedges added. “There definitely is no other place in the western half of the world — and some scientists would argue in the entire world — where the extinction threat is greater than in Haiti.”

The extinction threat is a grave one.

“Unless effective help arrives soon, it is inevitable that there will be mass extinctions, and I think they are in progress,” said Philippe Bayard, president of the Audubon Society of Haiti.

Hedges is currently looking for more zoos with the capability and willingness to host captive-breeding programs for endangered Haitian species. He has set up a website, CaribNature.org, where he is posting multimedia information as well as links to conservation organizations that are working to solve the problems that are causing the species extinctions in Haiti and other areas of the Caribbean.

“Despite the massive deforestation, the fact that the frogs are still hanging on, though barely, means that it is not too late to protect their habitat,” said Robin Moore, amphibian conservation officer for Conservation International.

Source: Mother Nature Network

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Eco-Friendly Car Washing

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:07:32 +0000

Few people realize that washing our cars in our driveways is one of the most environmentally un-friendly chores we can do around the house. Unlike household waste water that enters sewers or septic systems and undergoes treatment before it is discharged into the environment, what runs off from your car goes right into storm drains — and eventually into rivers, streams, creeks and wetlands where it poisons aquatic life and wreaks other ecosystem havoc. After all, that water is loaded with a witch’s brew of gasoline, oil and residues from exhaust fumes — as well as the harsh detergents being used for the washing itself.

Commercial Car Washes Treat Waste Water
On the other hand, federal laws in both the U.S. and Canada require commercial carwash facilities to drain their wastewater into sewer systems, so it gets treated before it is discharged back into the great outdoors. And commercial car washes use computer controlled systems and high-pressure nozzles and pumps that minimize water usage. Many also recycle and re-use the rinse water.

The International Carwash Association, an industry group representing commercial car wash companies, reports that automatic car washes use less than half the water of even the most careful home car washer. According to one report, washing a car at home typically uses between 80 and 140 gallons of water, while a commercial car wash averages less than 45 gallons per car.

Think Green When Washing Your Car
If you must wash your car at home, choose a biodegradable soap specifically formulated for automotive parts, such as Simple Green’s Car Wash or Gliptone’s Wash ‘n Glow. Or you can make your own biodegradable car wash by mixing one cup of liquid dishwashing detergent and 3/4 cup of powdered laundry detergent (each should be chlorine- and phosphate-free and non-petroleum-based) with three gallons of water. This concentrate can then be used sparingly with water over exterior car surfaces.

Even when using green-friendly cleaners, it is better to avoid the driveway and instead wash your car on your lawn or over dirt so that the toxic waste water can be absorbed and neutralized in soil instead of flowing directly into storm drains or open water bodies. Also, try to sop up or disperse those sudsy puddles that remain after you’re done. They contain toxic residues and can tempt thirsty animals.

Waterless Car Wash Products are Good for Small Jobs
One way to avoid such problems altogether is to wash your car using any number of waterless formulas available, which are especially handy for spot cleaning and are applied via spray bottle and then wiped off with a cloth. Freedom Waterless Car Wash is a leading product in this growing field.

A Better Car Wash Option for Fundraising
One last caution: Kids and parents planning a fundraising car wash event should know that they might be violating clean water laws if run-off is not contained and disposed of properly. Washington’s Puget Sound Carwash Association, for one, allows fund-raisers to sell tickets redeemable at local car washes, enabling the organizations to still make money while keeping dry and keeping local waterways clean.

Source: About.com: environmental issues

Contractor washing construction vehicle in the Komati River

Washing vehicles is a necessary part of maintenance. However, some people go to extremes and waste f a r too much water just to remove superficial dirt. Generally, using a bucket as opposed to running water from a hose , will save water. Eco-friendly cleaning products allow you to wash your car on your lawn- thus saving irrigation water. As an added bonus, many eco friendly cleaning formulas are better for your car’s paintwork. In many parts of rural Africa, vehicles are parked in or on the edges of rivers and washed. This is a normal activity for many with no thought of water contamination from carwash soap and oil and grease from the vehicle. During c onstruction projects, contractors can be heavily fined if any of there vehicles are washed outside of a proper washbay that has oil traps installed. Many aquatic organisms are super-sensitive to even minute amounts of contaminants. Edu cation at school level is required to put an end to this environmentally damaging habit. A clean, shiny car is often a source of pride to the owner but it’s not acceptable if the environment is harmed to keep it that way. Use waterless washing formulas to clear away light dirt and when a major wash is required, try to use an automated car wash that recycles water. Water Rhapsody have developed a special water recycling system for automated car wash machines; and have begun installing these around southern Africa. Contact us for all your water conservation needs (we supply and install water tanks too!).