Morning Ecology 29 August 2008: All New York Times Science/Enviro Edition




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When it comes to science and environmental reporting in the U.S., The New York Times remains essential. There were so many good examples this week of The Times' broad reach (with one assist from the AP) that today's Morning Ecology is all Times.

And since a well-rounded Apartment Ecology includes appreciating the world beyond these walls and windows, included is a great NYT article -- by my friend Michelle Nijius --on new research into the abilities of crows and ravens to recognize human faces.



Image: Geoff York/World Wildlife Fund, via The New York Times via Reuters. World Wildlife writes in part,
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, August 21, 2008 - An aerial survey by government scientists in Alaska's Chukchi Sea this week found at least nine polar bears swimming in open water - with one at least 60 miles from shore - raising concern among wildlife experts about their survival. A World Wildlife Fund (WWF) polar bear expert said the bears could have difficulty making it safely to shore and risk drowning, particularly if a storm arises. "To find so many polar bears at sea at one time is extremely worrisome because it could be an indication that as the sea ice on which they live and hunt continues to melt, many more bears may be out there facing similar risk," said Geoff York, a polar bear biologist with WWF. "As climate change continues to dramatically disrupt the Arctic, polar bears and their cubs are being forced to swim longer distances to find food and habitat."
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