A recent study from ETH Zurich has highlighted the growing intensity and shifting patterns of tropical cyclones as climate change progresses, particularly under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, which assumes significant global warming due to fossil fuel use. This research underscores a critical need to understand and anticipate the new threats posed by these storms amid climate changes.

Summary:

• Powerful Storms and Climate Change: Cyclones are natural phenomena, but climate change intensifies their impact and expands their reach into regions previously unaffected.
• Study Details: ETH Zurich's study used the CLIMADA risk modeling platform, examining changes in cyclone patterns and their effects from 1980-2017 and projected from 2015-2050 under the SSP5-8.5 scenario.
• SSP Framework: The shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs) framework was employed to explore various global climate scenarios. The SSP5-8.5 scenario implies severe environmental consequences tied to high fossil fuel consumption and significant warming.
• Mangrove Risk Assessment: A follow-up study indicated that around half of the world's mangroves could be at severe risk by 2100 due to climate change's impact on tropical cyclones and rising sea levels.
• Ecoregion Classification: The researchers categorized terrestrial ecoregions based on their cyclone exposure:
  • Resilient (able to recover),
  • Dependent (cyclical disturbance shaping ecosystem),
  • Vulnerable (rarely disturbed, slow recovery).
• Projected Changes in Cyclone Activity: The study models predict a decline in the time between high-intensity storms from an average of 19 years (1980-2017) to just 12 years (2015-2050).
• Regional Risk Assessment: Coastal regions like East Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean face significant changes in cyclone activity. Some regions, such as the Philippines, may experience unprecedented cyclone frequencies.
• Magnitudes of Risk: In the SSP5-8.5 scenario, the risk to mangroves is projected to be high, with Southeast Asia bearing the brunt. Models indicate that even under the SSP3-7.0 scenario, mangroves that protect populations in Southeast Asia will face severe risks.
• Impact on Ecosystem Services: The deterioration of mangrove ecosystems could undermine their crucial roles in carbon storage, coastal protection, and biodiversity support, potentially leading to ecosystem state shifts that could be irreversible.
• Awareness of Future Risks: Researchers emphasized the importance of incorporating extended recovery timelines into risk assessments and conservation planning to better adapt to shifting cyclone patterns.
• Need for Urgency in Addressing Climate Change: There is a call for immediate global commitment to reduce fossil fuel dependency and adhere to the Paris Agreement to mitigate these impending risks.

Important Points:

• Cyclones are intensifying and moving into new geographic areas due to climate change.
• The ETH Zurich study highlights the urgent need for global action on climate change.
• By 2100, nearly half of the world's mangroves may be at high risk, impacting coastal communities and ecosystems.
• Key regions like Southeast Asia are predicted to suffer the most from these changes.
• Adaptation strategies and long-term planning are necessary to face the shift in cyclone patterns and their consequences.
• The study reflects the potential long-term ecological disruption if current trends persist.

Overall, the findings of these studies present a crucial warning about how climate change may drastically alter the dynamics of tropical cyclones and their broader implications for global ecosystems and human communities.

Summary of the Article:

The Indian marine fisheries sector has stabilized at an annual capture rate of three to four million tonnes, indicating the country may have hit its maximum potential yield. However, significant inequities exist within this sector, particularly affecting small-scale fishers, who constitute 90% of the fishing community but capture only about 10% of the total fish. In contrast, larger mechanised operations dominate the majority of the catch, leaving many fisher families living below the poverty line. Efforts to achieve higher yields through upgraded fishing technology often lead to increased debt and costs without significant gains in fish volume.

A recent fishing trip illustrated the environmental and social issues plaguing the sector: shrimp trawlers discarded over 10 kilograms of bycatch for every kilogram of shrimp caught, negatively impacting marine biodiversity. The indiscriminate trawling methods destroy local ecosystems and undermine fish populations. Species like sardine and mackerel are particularly at risk due to juvenile fishing practices that adversely affect spawning stock biomass.

India’s complex regulatory system exacerbates these problems, with each coastal State having its own Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (MFRA). This patchwork of rules allows for loopholes where fish can be caught in one State and landed in another, undermining conservation efforts. To combat these challenges, India must establish a unified national standard that includes scientifically grounded catch limits, minimum legal sizes for fish, and seasonal closures to protect spawning populations.

The article suggests that India could benefit from adopting a quota management system similar to New Zealand's, which successfully aligns scientific data with fishing policy. Successful local examples, such as Kerala's increase in threadfin bream catches following the enforcement of minimum size regulations, highlight the potential for improvement.

Moreover, tackling the fish-meal and fish-oil industry is critical, as the high levels of bycatch in these fisheries create skewed incentives that lead to a greater disregard for biodiversity. Suggested reforms for this industry include capping quotas and redirecting bycatch into local aquaculture rather than exporting it.

For future sustainability, a multifaceted approach is crucial: fostering better enforcement at the State level, empowering local cooperatives, implementing community stewardship of marine reserves, and encouraging consumers to support sustainable seafood. With threats like climate change and coastal erosion looming, these reforms are vital for protecting both marine ecosystems and the livelihoods dependent on them.

On this International Day for Biological Diversity, the message underscores the imperative to protect India's marine life for the well-being of current and future generations.

Key Points:

• India's marine fisheries yield has stabilized at 3-4 million tonnes annually, indicating a potential maximum yield.
• 90% of fishers are small-scale, yet they catch only 10% of the total fish, with larger operations dominating.
• Three-quarters of marine fisher families live below the poverty line.
• New fishing technologies often lead to higher debt without significant output increases.
• Discarding of bycatch (over 10kg for every 1kg of shrimp) harms marine biodiversity and fish populations.
• Juvenile fishing practices threaten species like sardine and mackerel, leading to long-term declines.
• A disjointed regulatory framework complicates conservation efforts and allows illegal fishing practices to continue.
• Suggestions include implementing a national standard for fishing regulations based on scientific assessments.
• New Zealand's quota management system serves as a successful model for tying fishing rights to stock health.
• Local success stories demonstrate the benefits of sustainable practices in fisheries.
• The fish-meal and fish-oil industry needs reform to reduce bycatch and incentivize sustainable practices.
• A collaborative approach involving the central government, states, communities, and consumers is essential for future sustainability.
• Reform efforts are critical for ecology, livelihoods, and addressing climate change impacts on coastal areas.

Summary:

Biodiversity, integral to human survival and prosperity, faces a significant threat, with about 25% of species facing extinction. This year, the International Day for Biological Diversity emphasizes “Harmony with nature and sustainable development,” commemorating the Convention on Biological Diversity's adoption in 1992. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) sets ambitious goals to conserve 30% of terrestrial and marine biodiversity by 2030, emphasizing the creation and management of urban green spaces.

However, urban biodiversity is increasingly endangered by unplanned development and urbanization, as nearly half of the global population lives in cities, projected to rise to 70% by 2050. Urban spaces are often prioritized for development at the expense of greenery, which presents numerous health and economic benefits. For example, urban trees help mitigate urban heat, control pollution, and provide nature-based recreational spaces. Economically, the services provided by urban trees are valued at approximately ₹8 crore per square kilometer.

The Forest Survey of India has reported that major cities have forest covers averaging only 10.26%. Urban areas like Chennai and Hyderabad have notably lost substantial greenery between 2021 and 2023. The GBF provides a structure for urban planners, supporting biodiversity conservation by promoting native species and public well-being.

The UN Habitat's 3-30-300 rule urges tree coverage in urban areas, suggesting that every home should have a view of at least three trees and that neighborhoods should boast 30% tree canopy cover. The implementation of a city biodiversity index allows assessment of urban biodiversity, assisting local governments to formulate biodiversity strategies.

Successful initiatives, like the greening of Chennai's Koyambedu market, showcase urban greening's potential, revealing the restoration of diverse native species and attracting various birds and butterflies. However, ongoing urbanization threatens vital water bodies, necessitating comprehensive ecological restoration efforts alongside existing legal protections.

Local authorities like the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) are urged to integrate tree-planting mandates in building permits, promote home gardens, and safeguard against pollution and encroachment. Recent judgments from the Supreme Court of India emphasize the necessity of protecting urban greenery and biodiversity from destructive development plans.

It is crucial for city management to adopt sustainable approaches, including stakeholder involvement—from resident associations to NGOs—transforming biodiversity conservation into a public endeavor. The commitment to planning for sustainability should also involve communities in protecting environmental resources, ensuring a balanced coexistence between development and biodiversity.

Key Points:

• Biodiversity crisis: 25% of species at risk of extinction; essential for human well-being and economic health.
• International Day for Biological Diversity emphasizes “Harmony with nature and sustainable development”; marks the CBD's 1992 adoption.
• Kunming-Montreal GBF targets conserving 30% of biodiversity by 2030, focusing on urban green space integration.
• Urbanization threat: Nearly 50% of people live in cities; lack of green space due to development.
• Benefits of urban greenery: Mitigate heat and pollution, enhance aesthetics, economically valued at ₹8 crore per km².
• Current forest cover: Average of 10.26% in major Indian cities, declining in Chennai and Hyderabad.
• UN 3-30-300 rule: Encourages urban tree canopy and accessibility within walking distance.
• Sustainable urban strategies: Implement city biodiversity indices and enhance native plant propagation.
• Successful examples: Koyambedu market's greening showcases effective urban biodiversity restoration.
• Environmental protection laws: Essential to prevent ecological degradation in cities.
• Community involvement: Collaboration among all stakeholders is vital for sustainable urban biodiversity management.

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have clarified the taxonomy of the Persian long-tailed desert lizard, Mesalina watsonana, a species first described 153 years ago by naturalist Ferdinand Stolickza. The lizard, found across various countries including Afghanistan, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan, resides in arid regions characterized by sand dunes and sparse vegetation.

Despite its importance in understanding desert lizard diversity, confusion arose regarding its syntypes, which are specimens used for species definition when a single ‘type’ specimen is not designated. This confusion existed among specimens stored in museums in Kolkata, London, and Vienna. To resolve this issue, ZSI researchers Sumidh Ray and Pratyush P. Mohapatra identified one of the original specimens, ZSI-R-5050, as the definitive lectotype. Their research, which included historical record analysis and adherence to modern zoological nomenclature, was published in Zootaxa.

The research outcomes are significant for several reasons:

• The lectotype designation aids scientific clarity and is also a tribute to Stolickza’s valuable collections.
• The significance of these specimens, critical to herpetological studies in the Indian subcontinent, is underscored.
• The findings are expected to enhance future studies concerning species complexes within the Mesalina genus.

Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director of ZSI, emphasized the foundational nature of Stolickza’s material and its impact on reptile taxonomy in South and Central Asia. The resolution of the syntype confusion is not only a milestone in taxonomy but also highlights the importance of historical specimens in contemporary scientific research.

Important Points:

• The Persian long-tailed desert lizard, Mesalina watsonana, has been clarified taxonomically by ZSI after 153 years of confusion.
• Described by Ferdinand Stolickza in 1872, the species is dispersed across several countries in South and Central Asia.
• Confusion over syntypes previously housed in museums was resolved by designating specimen ZSI-R-5050 as the definitive lectotype.
• Research published in Zootaxa highlights the role of historical collections in modern taxonomy.
• The work honors Stolickza’s legacy and supports ongoing studies in reptile diversity.
• The ZSI holds many foundational type specimens that are essential for herpetological research in the region.

The Olive Ridley turtle, classified as a vulnerable species, gained attention earlier this year due to a record number of seventy thousand turtles nesting at Rushikulya beach in Odisha, India. This phenomenon, known as “arribada,” raised concerns for conservationists about the implications of human interventions on these sea turtles’ behavior and future.

Summary:

• Record Nesting Event: In March, a remarkable seven lakh (700,000) Olive Ridley turtles nested at Rushikulya beach in Odisha.
• Arribada Phenomenon: This mass nesting event, referred to as “arribada” (Spanish for “arrival”), highlights both joy and concern about the turtles’ future amid human impact.
• Population Decline: Despite localized population increases, the global population of Olive Ridleys has decreased by 30-50% since 1960, according to the IUCN Red List.
• Nesting Sites: Olive Ridley turtles primarily nest along the Pacific coasts of Mexico and Central America, with significant sites also in Odisha. The state's coastline has three major nesting beaches: Gahirmatha, Devi, and Rushikulya.
• Philopatry: The turtles exhibit a behavior called philopatry, where they return to their natal nesting sites after decades, guided by local magnetic fields.
• Ecological Factors: Other factors influencing nesting site selection include salinity, land slope, predation risk, rainfall, and proximity to nutrient-rich cold-core eddies.
• Competition for Nesting Sites: Increased turtle populations may lead to overcrowding at nesting sites, with turtles potentially disturbing existing nests, leading to broken eggs and attracting predators.
• Impact of Rising Temperatures: Temperature affects the sex of hatchlings, with higher temperatures resulting in more female hatchlings, further reinforcing nesting at warmer beaches.
• Genetic Concerns: Conservation efforts like artificial egg incubation may inadvertently decrease genetic resilience by allowing weaker individuals to survive and reproduce.
• Community Involvement: Local communities play a crucial role in conservation, helping protect nests and curb poaching. However, excessive tourism related to turtle nesting can stress these animals.
• Tourism Challenges: Increased turtle tourism can lead to disturbances, including unnecessary human interaction, which may disrupt nesting behavior and affect the turtles’ long-term nesting fidelity.
• Ethical Responsibility: The focus of conservation efforts must shift from merely increasing numbers to ensuring the ecological integrity of nesting sites, emphasizing a balance between tourism and environmental safeguarding.

Key Points:

• Olive Ridley turtles have shown resilience through historical challenges but are facing new threats, particularly from human interactions and climate change.
• Their nesting behaviors and future populations are intimately linked to ecological health and human ethical responsibilities.
• Conservation practices should adapt to consider not only population growth but the long-term sustainability of nesting traditions and beaches.

Ultimately, as human influence grows, the responsibility to maintain the ecological balance for the Olive Ridley turtles and their habitats becomes increasingly urgent.

In a significant development for entomology, the Leparada district of Arunachal Pradesh has officially identified a new member of India's butterfly family—Euthalia malaccana. Previously underestimated and often categorized as a subspecies of Euthalia adonia, this butterfly has now been recognized as an independent species, primarily found in Southeast Asia.

Key Highlights:

• Discovery Location: The butterfly was observed in the Leparada district, situated in Arunachal Pradesh, India.
• Taxonomic History: Initially classified as part of the Euthalia adonia complex, the Euthalia malaccana has been a point of taxonomic contention before being established as a species in its own right.
• Geographical Distribution: This butterfly has known habitats across various Southeast Asian regions, including northern Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, and the Sunda Islands, but its presence in India was previously uncertain.
• Field Research Contributors: The confirmation of Euthalia malaccana in Arunachal Pradesh was made through meticulous fieldwork conducted by citizen scientist Roshan Upadhaya and fellow expert Taslima Sheikh, who specializes in citizen science.
• Documentation Process: Their findings were published in the international journal SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia, which has been in circulation since 1973, highlighting the significance of their work in taxonomic literature.
• Notable Discovery Sites: Fieldwork primarily took place at multiple sites, notably in Lai Ho along the Basar-Sago Road. Local guides played an essential role in aiding the researchers through challenging terrains.
• Observation Details: Between 2023 and 2024, five specimens of the Euthalia malaccana were documented at an altitude of 685 meters above sea level.
• Identification Features: Key characteristics used for identification include a blue apical spot on the forewings, particularly pronounced in males, while females exhibit larger spots. The hindwings possess reduced red spots, differentiating it from similar species like Euthalia lubentina.
• Contribution to Biodiversity: This discovery enriches the understanding of butterfly diversity within the Papilionoidea family, specifically within the northeastern region of India.

Overall, the confirmation of Euthalia malaccana in Arunachal Pradesh not only sheds light on butterfly diversity and ecology in this part of India but also exemplifies the valuable contributions of citizen science in expanding our knowledge of biodiversity.