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Showing posts from March, 2019

10 year global temperature compared to 1961-1990 average for locations around the world

Over the past decade, global temperatures have undergone substantial changes when compared to the 1961-1990 average. The Earth's climate has exhibited a discernible warming trend, with many locations worldwide experiencing temperature deviations from the historical baseline. These variations in temperature patterns are indicative of the broader impact of climate change. Scientific analyses and reports consistently highlight the increasing global temperatures and associated climatic shifts. Many regions have witnessed temperatures surpassing the averages recorded during the 1961-1990 period, signaling a noteworthy departure from historical norms. These temperature anomalies have manifested in diverse ways across different geographical locations. Some regions have encountered more frequent and intense heatwaves, contributing to challenges such as droughts, water scarcity, and adverse impacts on ecosystems. Concurrently, other areas have experienced alterations in precipitation patt

Abandoned fields turn into forests 5 times faster than thought

Russian scientists studied abandoned arable land in the European part of Russia reported eurekalert.org . The study showed that trees start to grow on the abandoned fields immediately after the land has been withdrawn from agricultural use. This finding contradicts the belief that trees appear in the fields only after grass that was approved earlier. As it turned out, the presence or absence of grass fires in a given area plays a key role in the stages and rate of overgrowth. The area of abandoned land in the Russian Federation s huge. Arable land was massively abandoned in the late 1980s - early 1990s due to the socio-economic changes. For the first two years, such abandoned lands are overgrown with birch and pine trees. Spontaneous overgrowing of forest vegetation occurs even in fields that have been used in agriculture for a long period of time. "Our results showed the key role of grass fires in shaping differences in soil and vegetation in restoring abandoned lands. Settl

Zoo animal life expectancies

Zoo animal life expectancies vary greatly depending on species, habitat, diet, and quality of care provided by the zoo. Generally, animals in accredited zoos tend to live longer than their counterparts in the wild due to access to veterinary care, a controlled diet, protection from predators, and a lack of natural threats such as diseases or habitat destruction. However, it's important to note that not all species thrive in captivity, and some may experience health issues or behavioral problems due to confinement. In zoos, large mammals like elephants, big cats, and primates often have longer lifespans compared to their wild counterparts, with some individuals living well into their 40s or even 50s. For example, Asian elephants in captivity can live up to 60 years, while in the wild, their average lifespan is around 48 years. Similarly, lions and tigers in zoos may live into their late teens or early 20s, whereas their wild counterparts typically have shorter lifespans due to fact