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Sustainability

Global versus local conservation for endangered bird species

Source: JournalistsResource.org

Since the Endangered Species Preservation Act was signed into law in 1966, local and global endangered species lists have emerged as useful tools for protecting threatened animal and plant populations.  Prioritizing resources is essential, however, and local situations don’t always reflect global realities — a species could be threatened in one area but plentiful overall, or locally plentiful but in danger worldwide.

Global phytoplankton decline over the past century

Source: JournalistsResource.org

Phytoplankton are microscopic, free-floating plants that form the basis of the aquatic food chain. They also account for half of all photosynthetic activity, and thus produce much of the atmosphere’s oxygen.  Changes in the level of phytoplankton activity would have important implications on the health of the entire ecosystem, including human life.