Climate study projects less rain in Hawaii

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Changes in Pacific Ocean-area circulation changes are projected to impact rainfall in the Hawaiian Islands.

Drying trend that started in late 1970s likely to continue

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Global warming is shifting large-scale Pacific circulation patterns so that fewer  weather disturbances reach the Hawaiian Islands during the rainy season from November through April.

As a result, rainfall has been declining since 1978, and the trend is likely to continue, according to researchers with the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the University of Colorado in Boulder.

“For water resource and ecosystem management, and for other societal needs, we need to know whether this drying trend will continue this century,” said lead researchers Oliver Elison Timm, with the International Pacific Research Center, UHM. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Drought, Environment, global warming | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Oceans: Some reef shark populations drop 90 percent

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

‘People and sharks don’t mix’

Curious gray reef sharks (Carcharhinus amlyrhynchos) at Kure Atoll in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Hawaii were studied as part of a study published April 25 in the journal Conservation Biology. PHOTO COURTESY P. AYOTTE.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Reef shark numbers have plummeted by more than 90 percent around some populated islands in the Pacific, according to an international research team that surveyed 46 U.S. Pacific islands and atolls during the past decade.

The numbers are sobering, said Marc Nadon, a researcher at the Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research at the University of Hawaii.

“We estimate that reef shark numbers have dropped substantially around populated islands, generally by more than 90 percent compared to those at the most untouched reefs. In short, people and sharks don’t mix,” he said. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, coral reefs, endangered species, Environment, Marine biology | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

Reward offered on Hawaiian monk seal killings

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Hawaiian monk seal. PHOTO COURTESY NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE.

Rare marine mammals are struggling to survive in the face of disease, lack of genetic diversity and impacts from climate and human activities

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY —  Hawaiian monk seals are teetering dangerously on the brink of extinction, and this week, the tiny population (about 1,100 seals) took a hit when three of the critically endangered animals were killed.

Wildlife officials said two of the animals were bludgeoned to death while the third was shot. The death of a fourth seal is als0 being investigated as suspicious.

To help track down the attackers, the Center for Biological Diversity today joined with allies to offer a $30,000 reward for information about the recent killing. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, endangered species, Environment, Marine biology, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Travel: Study shows tourists support coral reef protection

Posted on September 6, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

A sea turtle swims lazily along a coral reef in Hawaii, trailed by tropical fish. (Photo by Kosta Stamoulis, courtesy Oregon State University via Flickr.)

Many people say they would skip visiting a reef if that’s what it takes to protect it

By Bob Berwyn

Tourists are often charged with loving their favorite places to death, but when it comes to coral reefs, that may not be the case.

Oregon State University and the University of Hawaii recently completed an interesting study showing that people feel so strongly about the importance of protecting coral reefs that many would be willing to forego a visit if that’s what it takes to save the reefs.

The study suggests reefs are a rare exception to controversies over human use versus environmental conservation. The core belief is often strong enough that if it means people have to be kept out, so be it. (more…)

Filed under: Environment, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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