Organic Consumers Association of Australia’s Post

The Australian Catbird (Ailuroedus melanotis) is a distinctive bird found in the rainforests of northeastern Australia, including areas of Queensland and New South Wales. The Australian Catbird is not a member of the bowerbird family but is classified in the family Ptilonorhynchidae, which includes the bowerbirds. It is named "catbird" due to its cat-like calls and vocalizations, resembling the mewing sounds of a cat, sometimes mistaken for the cry of a baby. Here are some key features of the Australian Catbird: Appearance: The Australian Catbird is a medium-sized bird, approximately 30-35 centimeters in length. It has predominantly dark olive-green plumage, a black crown, and a distinctive bright red iris. The underparts are pale gray with a black throat patch. Habitat: The Australian Catbird is found in the dense undergrowth of subtropical and tropical rainforests, often near watercourses. It prefers areas with dense vegetation and a variety of fruits, insects, and other food sources. Behavior: Australian Catbirds are known for their complex and melodious calls, consisting of a mix of mewing, whistling, and other vocalizations. They have a unique repertoire of sounds and can mimic other bird species. They are often heard more frequently than seen due to their shy and elusive nature. Diet: Catbirds primarily feed on fruits, insects, and small invertebrates. They have a preference for figs and other rainforest fruits. They forage within the dense vegetation, searching for food items. Conservation Status: The Australian Catbird is not globally threatened and has a conservation status of "Least Concern" according to the IUCN. However, like many rainforest-dependent species, it can be susceptible to habitat loss and fragmentation.

UK Invasive Species... The Scale of the Invasion According to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), there are 3,163 non-native species in Great Britain, of which 1,980 are established (i.e. they reproduce in the wild). The JNCC has identified 190 non-native species that it considers to be exerting a negative impact on native biodiversity. These include 46 freshwater species, 36 marine species and 108 land species. Clearly, with a number of species able to ‘invade’ under their own steam, whether carried on the breeze, ocean or their own energy, the question of what is and isn’t native is a moot point. “Free from predators and disease, non-native invaders can grow and spread rapidly, overcoming native wildlife and plants.” The JNCC identifies non-native species as those that have reached this country by “accidental human transport, deliberate human introduction, or which arrived by natural dispersal from a non-native population in Europe.” And it backdates this arrival to the year 1500. For the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, the Woodland Trust, year zero is the end of the Ice Age, 12,000 years ago. Plants that bloomed as the ice receded are considered native, says Matt Elliott, Woodland Trust Conservation Advisor, tree and woodland health.  The RSPB draws a distinction between birds that arrive naturally on British shores, such as the great white egret, which should not be considered as non-native, and escapees from zoos and collections that would never have arrived without human assistance, whether deliberate or accidental. “The essential physical roughness of the planet – oceans, mountain ranges, deserts, currents in the sea – means that evolution proceeds independently in different regions of the world, so we end up with antelope as plains grazers in Africa and kangaroos as plains grazers in Australia; an the tiger as the lowland jungle cat in south-east Asia and the jaguar as a lowland jungle cat in South America,” says Dr Paul Walton, Head of Habitats and Species, RSPB Scotland. “What is happening increasingly and at an accelerating rate is that human beings, through moving around and through international trade, are increasingly moving animals and plants in ways that they would never naturally have moved and at rates that they would never naturally have moved.”  The result is the introduction of new predators and diseases to which native species have no immunity, and there’s only one consequence – a depletion of biodiversity. The GB Non-native Species Secretariat calculates that invasive non-native species not only damage the environment, but also cost the domestic economy £2 billion per year in terms of their impact and the action taken against them. The solution, says Dr Walton, lies in prevention rather than cure, in better bio-security rather than eradication programmes. https://lnkd.in/eNvaRCjQ

Remembering the Kankakee Marsh The Kankakee Marsh, also known as the Grand Kankakee Marsh, was once one of the largest wetland areas in the United States. Located in northern Indiana and northeastern Illinois, it encompassed a vast expanse of swamps, marshes, and prairies. Although the Kankakee Marsh was severely drained and altered in the early 20th century for agricultural purposes, it remains valuable on its historical biodiversity. Prior to drainage, the Kankakee Marsh supported a rich and diverse array of plant and animal species. It was home to numerous waterfowl species, including ducks, geese, and #biodiversity #water #team herons. Migratory birds used the marsh as a stopover point during their journeys. The area was also inhabited by a variety of fish, such as bass, pike, and sunfish. The wetland complex provided habitat for mammals like muskrats, beavers, and mink, while reptiles and amphibians, including turtles, frogs, and salamanders, thrived in the marsh's aquatic and semi-aquatic environments. The plant life consisted of a mix of emergent wetland vegetation, such as cattails and bulrushes, as well as submerged and floating aquatic plants like water lilies. The Kankakee Marsh was renowned for its ecological importance, as wetlands serve as crucial breeding grounds, nurseries, and feeding areas for various species. The loss and alteration of the marsh have had significant impacts on biodiversity in the region, with many species losing their habitats or experiencing population declines. Efforts have been made in recent years to restore parts of the Kankakee Marsh, recognizing its ecological value. Restoration projects aim to recreate wetland habitats, improve water quality, and reintroduce native species. These initiatives are essential for conserving and enhancing biodiversity. I’m proud to be a part of these efforts with my team members at SWCA! #kankakeemarsh #swca #soundscience

This ties into one of the big conundrums of restoration ecology. When trying to decide what plants to add to a restoration site, should we add those that are there now, even if some of those species are increasingly stressed by the effects of climate change? Or do we start importing native species in adjacent ecoregions that are more tolerant of heat? Animals can migrate relatively quickly, but plants take longer to expand their range, and the animals that they have mutual relationships with may be moving to cooler areas faster than the plants can follow. Whether the animals will be able to survive in their new range without their plant partners is another question, and that is an argument in favor of trying to help the plants keep up with them. We're not just having to think about what effects climate change will have next summer, but also predict what it's going to look like here in fifty years, a hundred, or beyond. It's an especially important question in regards to slow-growing trees which may not reproduce until they are several years old, and which can take decades to really be a significant support of their local ecosystem. For example, here in the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades, western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is experiencing increased die-off due to longer, hotter summer droughts. Do we continue to plant western red cedar, in the hopes that some of them may display greater tolerance to drought and heat? Or do we instead plant Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), which is found in red cedar's southern range, and which may be more drought-tolerant, even though it's not found this far north yet? Planting something from an adjacent ecoregion isn't the same as grabbing a plant from halfway around the world and establishing it as an invasive species. But there is the question as to whether the established native would have been able to survive if we hadn't introduced a competing "neighbor" species. Would the Port Orford cedars and western red cedars be able to coexist as they do in northern California and southern Oregon, or would the introduced Port Orfords be enough to push the already stressed red cedars over the edge to extirpation? There's no simple answer. But I am glad to see the government at least allowing some leeway for those ecologists who are desperately trying any tactic they can to save rare species from extinction. https://lnkd.in/gxuQq-uk #climatechange #globalwarming #ecology #restorationecology

The Blue-winged Mountain Tanager (Anisognathus somptuosus) is a species of bird belonging to the family Thraupidae, which includes tanagers and allies. It is known for its vibrant and striking plumage. The Blue-winged Mountain Tanager is primarily found in the Andean region of South America, specifically in countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. It inhabits montane forests and cloud forests at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 3,600 meters (5,900 to 11,800 feet) above sea level. This bird species has a distinctive appearance. The male Blue-winged Mountain Tanager has bright turquoise-blue plumage on its wings, contrasting with a black head and upperparts. It has a yellow throat and chest, with the rest of the underparts being black. The female has a similar pattern but with duller colors, featuring olive-green wings and a more muted yellow coloration. Blue-winged Mountain Tanagers are typically seen foraging in small groups or mixed-species flocks, often in the mid-canopy or sub-canopy levels of the forest. They primarily feed on fruits and insects, and occasionally consume nectar as well. These birds are known for their vocalizations, emitting a variety of high-pitched calls, trills, and whistles. They also engage in courtship displays, which include fluffing up their plumage and fluttering their wings. Conservation-wise, the Blue-winged Mountain Tanager is currently listed as a species of "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, like many birds in their habitat, they face threats such as deforestation and habitat fragmentation due to human activities. Conservation efforts are crucial to preserve their populations and their unique ecosystems 🐦 • Photo by: @bartleys_photo_workshops