ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

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• Bait research focused on outsmarting destructive beetle
• Ocean's carbon dioxide uptake can impair digestion in marine animal
• Success of climate talks vital for 2°C target
• Tasmania home to first alpine sword-sedge
• The Gorgons of the Eastern Pacific: Scientists describe two new gorgonian soft coral species
• Rising concerns over tree pests and diseases
• The ash dieback fungus, Chalara fraxinea, might have a mechanism to define territory and to combat viruses
• Key links between consumption, climate change
• Alberta plan fails to protect headwater havens for vulnerable wildlife
• Has the idea of 'zero deforestation' lost its meaning
• Anthrax bacteria play hide and seek

Bait research focused on outsmarting destructive beetle Posted: 15 Nov 2013 10:02 AM PST Researchers are closing in on finding an effective bait to get ahead of the destructive spread of mountain pine beetle, which is now killing not only lodgepole pine forests, but jack pine.

Ocean's carbon dioxide uptake can impair digestion in marine animal Posted: 15 Nov 2013 07:47 AM PST Ocean acidification impairs digestion in marine organisms, according to a new study. Researchers have studied the larval stage of green sea urchins Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. The results show that the animals have problems digesting food in acidified water.

Success of climate talks vital for 2°C target Posted: 15 Nov 2013 07:47 AM PST Achieving a global climate agreement soon could be crucial for the objective to keep global mean temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius. The challenges of meeting the long-term target will otherwise increase drastically both in terms of the required emissions reductions and economic impacts.

Tasmania home to first alpine sword-sedge Posted: 15 Nov 2013 07:46 AM PST Australian botanists have described a unique new species of sedge (family Cyperaceae, which includes Papyrus and Chinese Water Chestnut) from the mist-shrouded mountains of Tasmania. Lepidosperma monticola is a small plant that is only known from the south-west of the island.

The Gorgons of the Eastern Pacific: Scientists describe two new gorgonian soft coral species Posted: 15 Nov 2013 06:49 AM PST Gorgonians are a type of soft corals easily distinguishable by the complex branching shape, which has also probably inspired their name, coming from the Gorgon Medusa -- a creature from the Greek mythology that had hair made of venomous snakes. The existence of Medusa outside myth might be debatable, but gorgonian corals do exist and scientists describe two new beautiful species.

Rising concerns over tree pests and diseases Posted: 15 Nov 2013 06:43 AM PST New research has found that the number of pests and disease outbreaks in trees and forests across the world has been increasing. There is growing concern that aspects of globalization - in particular, high volumes and new forms of trade - may increase the risk of disease spreading and provide opportunities for genetic reassortment which can enhance pathogenicity (the ability of an organism to cause disease).

The ash dieback fungus, Chalara fraxinea, might have a mechanism to define territory and to combat viruses Posted: 15 Nov 2013 06:43 AM PST The fungus which causes Chalara dieback of ash trees has the potential to defend itself against virus attacks, research has shown.

Key links between consumption, climate change Posted: 14 Nov 2013 04:32 PM PST Models of future climate scenarios have taken insufficient account of population patterns and trends, according to a review. The review examines the interconnections between population growth and climate change, from the perspective of global health.

Alberta plan fails to protect headwater havens for vulnerable wildlife Posted: 14 Nov 2013 04:31 PM PST Scientists said today that the draft South Saskatchewan Regional Plan released recently by the Alberta government falls far short of protecting vulnerable fish and wildlife populations and headwater sources of precious water that are cherished by southern Albertans.

Has the idea of 'zero deforestation' lost its meaning Posted: 14 Nov 2013 11:21 AM PST What exactly does "zero deforestation" mean? Experts say that, while the idea seems simple and compelling, ambiguity surrounding global definitions and metrics actually creates risks for forest conservation and accountability.

Anthrax bacteria play hide and seek Posted: 14 Nov 2013 09:20 AM PST An anthrax infection can be fatal even when the infectious agent is no longer detected. Research reveals the way its lethal factor manages to turn invisible to the immune system.

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