South Carolina Aquarium’s Post

It's World Ocean Month! Did you know that oceans cover 70% of our planet? The month of June is dedicated to celebrating our oceans worldwide, and raising awareness on the threats they face and the work conservation organisations such as zoos and aquariums are doing to save the oceans! Zoos and Aquariums are ideally placed as educators to encourage people around the world to learn more about the threats different ecosystems face, and what can be done to help. Citizen Science, the act of the greater public contributing directly to scientific research and advancement, has become more and more popular as it creates a large scientific database, and helps researchers make better recommendations regarding important issues such as climate change and sea level rises, plastic pollution, and sustainably sourced products. South Carolina Aquarium has developed the “South Carolina Aquarium Citizen Science App”, which unites their projects to combat these issues, with the community around them. With this app, citizens can report events of flooding and sea level rise, record interactions between wildlife and marine debris, and track pollution and remove litter to help change views on plastic use. Community driven solutions are the next crucial step in conservation, everyone needs to be part of the solution for the ocean and other ecosystems! Learn more about the South Carolina Aquarium Citizen Science App! https://ow.ly/VScz50SjOY6

The Vital Impact of Elephants in the Forests and Whales in the Oceans Elephants and whales are essential guardians of our planet, playing a crucial role in preserving the ecological balance and resilience of the Earth. Imagine a world without elephants in the forests and whales in the oceans. It would be an immeasurable loss to the biodiversity and health of our planet. As the world's largest terrestrial herbivores, elephants profoundly shape forest ecosystems. Their ability to disperse seeds, create clearings, and modify the landscape influences the plant and animal diversity of forests. Without elephants, many plant and animal species would be endangered, compromising the delicate balance of these ecosystems. As giants of the seas, whales play a crucial role in regulating fish populations and the oceanic nutrient cycle. Their movements through the oceans transport essential nutrients, promoting the growth of phytoplankton and sustaining the entire marine food chain. Without whales, the oceans could lose much of their productivity and ability to absorb carbon dioxide. A world without elephants in the forests and whales in the oceans would be an impoverished world, facing major ecological imbalances. The loss of these iconic species would have a cascading impact on many other organisms and ecosystems, jeopardizing the planet's overall health. It is essential to recognize and preserve the vital role of elephants in the forests and whales in the oceans. Their protection and conservation are essential to maintaining the Earth's ecological balance and ensuring its resilience in the face of today's environmental challenges. Working together to preserve these species, is investing in a sustainable future for our planet and future generations.

That's a fascinating topic! Nature's wonder animals play a significant role in shaping our planet's environment. Here are some examples: 1. Beavers: Their dam-building activities create wetlands, habitats for diverse species, and help regulate water flows. 2. Elephants: As seed dispersers and forest gardeners, they maintain healthy ecosystems and promote biodiversity. 3. Wolves: By preying on herbivores, they maintain vegetation balance and indirectly support healthy ecosystems. 4. Sea Otters: They prey on sea urchins, which helps maintain kelp forests and supports marine biodiversity. 5. Vultures: As scavengers, they clean up carcasses, preventing disease spread and maintaining ecosystem hygiene. These animals, among many others, have a profound impact on their respective ecosystems, demonstrating the intricate interconnectedness of nature.

Did you know? - what butterflies can tell you about your direct environment?… During the most recent biodiversity monitoring event I attended with Laura Kooijman from idverde NL at Wienerberger Deutschland, we spotted this amazing creature 🦋. This beautiful peacock butterfly, although often hidden, displays its eye-like patterns to deter predators. The lifespan of a butterfly depends on its species and environment, with some living only a few days. The pretty fella we observed at the Wienerberger Deutschland plant appeared to have reached the end of its lifecycle, evident from its tattered wings. However, there is no need for concern! Because It has left behind a legacy. Before reaching their final stage, butterflies lay eggs to reproduce, carefully hiding them in rolled-up leaves. And now, one of the coolest facts about butterflies: Did you know that spotting butterflies is an indicator of a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem? Butterflies typically gather in areas with a balanced environment, making them excellent environmental ambassadors! 🦋 #Biodiversity #EnvironmentalMonitoring #PeacockButterfly #EcosystemHealth #Sustainability #WildlifeConservation #EnvironmentalAwareness #NatureLovers #GreenInitiatives

World Wildlife Day 2024 “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Wildlife is the untouched version of nature that resides unravelled in most places in the world, including mammals, fish species, plants, etc., which are undomesticated by humans. Wildlife serves as the foundation of evolutionary human life, which has become the most vital part of the ecosystem. Upon consideration of the importance of wildlife, the United Nations established March 3rd as World Wildlife Day to raise awareness about the necessity of preserving and protecting wildlife, as well as to promote sustainable practices that can help conserve biodiversity. Wildlife provides several environmental and socio-economic services to both humans and nature. It balances the biodiversity of the earth while also protecting humans from various natural calamities. However, humans continue to destroy these vital pillars of the environment. Among the concerns, plastic pollution has become one of the biggest threats to the wildlife ecosystem. Continuous disposal of plastic waste in open waters like the sea, rivers, lakes, etc. and disposal of plastic waste all over the place, including places rich in wildlife, have had a bad effect on the everyday lives of wildlife species. For instance, thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals are killed each year after ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. As responsible human beings, we should understand the importance of wildlife ecosystems in order to protect and preserve them for generations to come. Therefore,  let's reduce the plastic usage and dispose of it in a proper manner in order to give wildlife space and the opportunity to grow and reproduce freely without stress. Let us mark the change by taking one mindful step at a time. Written By: Fathima Nushkiya Faculty of Agriculture Flyer By: Sahan Ruwantha Faculty of Applied sciences #worldwildlifeday #savetheworld #zeroplasticrajarata #zeroplastic #zeroplasticmovement #rusl

One of the scariest things about our world is the insane rapid decline of biodiversity on Earth. The good news: we have the tools to address it. For the past few months, I have worked to put together this page to showcase what we are doing to address it. Take a look, and jump in on helping us solve this problem. https://lnkd.in/eJd227Za

For the past 8 or so months, I've had the privilege of working on building a toolkit that advocates for nature. We are aiming to go from an age of extraction to an age of regeneration The Lexicon We worked with leading thinkers and doers. All together, we gathered the story of 25 case studies on the ground doing conservation, afforestation, decarbonization, and much more. We built this framework that takes all the complexities of impact and explains it in the most simple and intuitive terms: Air, Water, Soil, Biodiversity, Equity, and Carbon. Learn and get inspired below: https://lnkd.in/eqmCeEv5

Yesterday, the world celebrated the International Day of Forests 2024; a day intended to raises awareness on the critical role played by forests in sustaining life on our planet. Other than providing food, water, and habitat for both animals and humans, forests function as the Earth's lungs as they filter harmful carbon dioxide from the air and produce oxygen necessary for life. The theme for this year’s International Day of Forests 2024- “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World” captured the direction that world nations should take in managing forests. In view of this, attaining the desired national and international forest cover targets can easily be achieved by adopting innovative approaches like embracing indigenous knowledge in forests management, active community involvement in forest conservation, growing forests instead of merely planting trees, combining  rare and endangered indigenous tree species with multi-functional (agroforestry) species and building resilient forest ecosystems by collecting and sharing genetically diverse tree seeds among others. 

We all find Elephants to be Majestic! Here are some reasons that truly make them environmental champions: (image capture from last week) 🌿 Keystone Species: Elephants play a crucial role in their ecosystems by dispersing seeds through their dung and creating water holes for other animals, maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. 🌳 Forest Gardeners: Elephants contribute to forest health by clearing small trees and shrubs, preventing overgrowth and fostering the growth of new plants, maintaining a diverse ecosystem. 💧 Water Conservation: During dry seasons, elephants dig for water, creating water holes that benefit wildlife, sustaining life in arid regions, and sharing water resources. 🌱 Nutrient Recycling: Elephant dung is rich in nutrients, fertilizing the soil, supporting plant growth, and sustaining habitat productivity for a healthy ecosystem. 🐘 Cultural Symbols of Conservation: Iconic in many cultures, elephants symbolize wisdom and environmental protection, raising awareness and support for sustainable practices and preserving natural resources. #environmentalchampions #ecology #biodiversity #greenworld