In honor of #SharkWeek Knowledge might be able to save our sharks! - http://clapway.com/2015/07/08/finprint-research-program-aims-to-aid-in-shark-conservation-by-counting-the-worlds-sharks-125/

For most, being able to count one shark we see in the ocean–in person–is already too many. Although the average person would much prefer not to come across any sharks in the ocean, Finprint researchers are hoping to do exactly the opposite.

Using the observation and research network known as FinPrint, scientists are going to establish baiting stations with cameras at the world’s major coral reefs in an attempt to approximate the world’s shark and ray population.

FinPrint’s efforts to preserve the world’s shark populations

The oceans sharks and rays are some of the most important species on the planet, and play a key role in the survival of the world’s ocean ecosystems, but this is often overlooked.

Sharks are some of the most deeply misunderstood creatures on the planet, due in part to their terrifying appearance, as well as the way the media has portrayed them through the years. However, sharks kill only around ten people each year, whereas mosquitos kill around 750,000 and humans kill roughly 475,000 people each year.

An alarming number of species of sharks and rays are currently threatened with extinction. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, about one quarter of all shark and ray species will face extinction if preventative measures are not taken.

FinPrint’s goal is to use the information it collects using over 400 cameras during its three year mission, to quantify shark and ray population statistics, as well as areas of concern due to unsafe conditions for the purpose of sustaining shark and ray habitats.

The support behind FinPrint’s massive data gathering agenda

FinPrint shark conservation has garnered the attention and support of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, as well as scientists around the world. These scientists will be able to communicate about information they’ve gathered through Paul Allen’s open access database created by his company Vulcan Inc. This ease of access to information will allow experts across the globe to quickly retrieve data from any site in the world instantaneously. All of the world’s top marine biologists and researchers have the opportunity to join the FinPrint mission, and collaborate in analyzing the incredible amount of data that will be received. Hopefully with a combined effort of eager participants all over the world, we can put a stop to shark extinction.

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FinPrint Research Program Aims to Aid in Shark Conservation by Counting the World"s Sharks

Welcome to the Sixth Mass Extinction in Earth’s History - http://clapway.com/2015/06/19/welcome-to-the-sixth-mass-extinction-in-earths-history987/

In a recent report published in open-access journal Science Advances, scientists have stated that our planet is undergoing the sixth mass extinction in its history, and it’s one brought on entirely by mankind. The scientists’ study compared animal extinction rates from 1900 until today to rates from “background” periods- sections of time during which mass extinction was not taking place. They found the extinction rate from this time period to be much higher than the expected “background rate,” more in line with the five previous mass extinction events. Thus, scientists have classified the deeply troubling trend as Earth’s sixth mass extinction.

Mass extinction slated to get worse, threatening even our species.

The team of researchers behind the study, led by Dr. Gerardo Ceballos of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, used a list made and maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in order to find current extinction rates. They deemed the list to be a conservative one, but even so, the extinction rate since the turn of the twentieth century has actually been eight to a hundred times higher than the background rate. If this decimation of species is allowed to continue, the planet’s life would take millions of years to recover. Humans, who are reliant on animals in so many ways, would die out early according to Ceballos.

Amphibians are hit extremely hard by mass extinction.

Of the roughly 76,000 IUCN-documented species, the amphibians, which make up 7,300 of those species, have taken a disproportionately heavy toll in terms of number of extinctions. Though only 34 amphibian extinctions have ever been documented, the researchers behind this study believe the true number to be well in excess of 100. One of the main reasons for amphibian species dying out so fast recently has been the rampant spread of a killer fungus, a result of global shipping.

What’s causing this phenomenon and how can we stop it?

Most of the causes for the loss of biodiversity are known to be man-made: deforestation, pollution of the environment, and other human actions are killing off more and more species every year. Gerardo Ceballos and his team caution that we are threatened by this, and have very little time to alter our habits and slow down extinction rates.

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Welcome to the Sixth Mass Extinction in Earth’s History