Habitat Preservation – Page 3 – TINA CHIARELLI, Ph.D., FRGS

Habitat Preservation and the Discovery of New Species

November 29th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

It is hard to believe that in a world where the human population now exceeds 7 billion, that there are still unexplored wild areas, and new plant and animal species being discovered. I think it is easy to understand the importance of preserving oceans, jungles, rainforests, grasslands, and deserts (yes, even deserts) for the known species that inhabit them, but what about the places that are home to creatures yet to be discovered? What about the plants, bacteria, or fungi in those wild areas that could lead to new breakthroughs in medicine? And, although hard to imagine, should we not …

Thank You

November 23rd, 2011tinalc0 Comments

This week, in the United States, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. This holiday is a time for recognizing the things and special people we are thankful for. Aside from stuffing ourselves with roasted turkey, potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, the day is spent with friends and family. In addition, I thought it would be the most fitting time to give thanks to all those special people who have inspired me over the years and helped cultivate my passion for wildlife conservation and habitat preservation. If not for these wonderful people, I would not be who I am today. As a …

Crikey! It’s Steve Irwin Day!

November 10th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

This Tuesday, 15 November, is the annually celebration of the life of Steve Irwin. Like him or not, you cannot deny that this man brought the plight of wildlife conservation into more than 150 million living rooms around the world. Carrying on that tradition, the aptly named Steve Irwin Day continues Steve’s mission to fight for wildlife conservation and habitat preservation. In addition, the day reminds us that one person can make a huge difference. I remember the first time I saw Steve Irwin on television. Being raised on the stylings of Sir David Attenborough, Steve was unlike anything I …

7 Billion and Counting

November 5th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

Last month the world population reached 7 billion. In only 12 short years, since ~October 1999, the human population has increased by 1 billion. Let us take a few moments to think about the fact that we now share this planet with 6,999,999,999 other people… and counting. If our global growth rate continues, it is anticipated that by 2050, you could be one of 10 billion! So what exactly does this increase mean for the other species that share our space? Furthermore, what do 7 billion humans mean for the environment? Regardless, if we live in a developing or industrialized …

Answer the Call for Gorilla Conservation

October 3rd, 2011tinalc0 Comments

Columbite-tantalite, more commonly known as colton, is a valuable mineral that is used to manufacture capacitors found in electronic devices such as cell phones, video game systems, MP3 players, computers, and DVD player. Colton is mined in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, China, Ethiopia, and Mozambique. Unfortunately, most of the world’s coltan reserves are found in the same region as gorillas and the mining is destroying their last remaining habitat. In addition, mining open access roads into gorilla habitat making it easier for poachers to find not only gorilla, but other endangered wildlife and resources. By recycling …

An Evening with Jane Goodall: A Story of Inspiration and Hope

October 2nd, 2011tinalc0 Comments

As a child I can vividly remember thumbing through old National Geographic magazines, living vicariously through the adventures of Dr. Jane Goodall. In the 1980s, long before online giants Amazon or Barnes and Noble became popular, I would visit both my school library and the local city-owned branch on an almost daily basis. I was able to read about Jane’s explorations of the forests of Gombe and the chimpanzee ambassadors who greeted here as a friend. Oh to live life amongst the chimps must have been paradise. I soon understood that chimpanzees were very much like humans, one may say …

Student Creates Wildlife Conservation Project

September 28th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

For as long as Tina Dow can remember, she’s had a passion for wildlife. Dow, a West Virginia University student, is pursuing her passion through an organization she and her husband formed – Wildlife Research and Conservation. “I don’t ever remember a time not being interested in wildlife,” Dow said. “As a kid I always felt more at home outside with the creepy crawlies than I did inside.” During her doctoral studies at WVU, Dow’s focus has been on elephant captivation and the effects it has on the species’ fertility. Though Dow is unsure where she’ll end up after graduation, …

Wild, Wonderful World of Fungus

September 26th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

It never ceases to amaze me just what one can find in the natural world when they look beyond what it is they intended to find; to widen the gaze and focus on a much bigger picture. A recent trip to locate Timber rattlesnakes for our population and reproductive assessment survey reminded me of that very thing. It was what I had no intention of finding that had left me awe inspired. Although no reptiles were found, I did get a greater appreciation for those things that we tend to dismiss as inanimate, but quite the contrary, are growing at …

The Ocean: Where Life Begins and Ends

September 25th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

The ocean, for most, represents a great blue void. It is sometimes hard to imagine that an incredible world, much larger than the space terrestrial beings inhabit, lies beyond the shoreline and below the surface. The Censes of Marine Life, completed in 2010 by 2,700 scientists from 80 countries, identified more than 1 million species that call the ocean home. In addition, researchers feel that despite their great accomplishment, 50-80% of the species inhabiting the sea surrounding South Africa, Antarctica, Japan, the Mediterranean, and Australia are yet to be discovered. The ocean covers 71% of Earth’s surface and holds 97% …

Ecotourism: Conservation Friend or Foe?

September 18th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

At the turn of the century, in the early 1900s, to go on safari meant one would travel to the far corners of the world, armed with the guidance of an indigenous tracker and large caliber rifle. It is no secret that the rich and royal killed hundreds of animals during a single trip to Africa, India, or Indonesia, and relished in doing so. Even Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States and founder of America’s most beautiful natural parks was an avid safari hunter; elephant tusks and a leopard rug adorned the oval office when Teddy was Commander in …