Some Conservation Choices For 2023

Each year, since 2009, scientists and conservationists have been brought together in Cambridge (England) to identify priorities. The scientists can learn about natural products and issues that need their expertise. The conservationists can be introduced to advances in scientific technologies, perhaps applicable to specific problems (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/28/top-conservation-issues-watch-out-for-2023-wetland-fertiliser-amphibians). The latest crop of potential areas for collaborations include:- 1. Replacing some plastics with chitin Chitin is a carbohydrate found in shellfish, insects and fungi. It's thought it could be harvested, in a 'green' manner, from insect cultures fed on organic trash. Its use would reduce the requirement for using oil to make plastics. 2. Conserving the lithium, increasingly needed for batteries This could be achieved by improving extraction technologies, getting more lithium out of conventional mines or even trash, ocean water and degraded lands. 3. Generating nitrogen fertiliser from human urine or by planting more crops with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots Urine contains urea. The urea could be converted into nitrogenous fertiliser. Besides having agricultural benefits, this might also reduce the environmental impact of sewage release. Artficial fertiliser may also be replaced by growing crops of Soya beans and Cowpeas. Genetic engineering might well increase potential candidate nitrogen-fixing crops. 4. Determining the effects of using lights in the deep ocean to catch species for human consumption Lights are increasingly being used in deep sea trawling. Their effects, however, on biology/ecology in such regions needs urgent investigation. 5. Managing the loss of coastal wetlands, exacerbated by climate change Rising sea levels are destroying coastal wetlands. These habitats are essential for a range of plants, fish, birds and other animals. 6. Evaluating microcommunities Biodiversity estimates should include microbes, as well as protists, plants, fungi and animals. Advanced teachnologies now enable species of microbes to be rapidly identified, along with population sizes (often impacted by human actions). 7. Dealing with a new threat to Amphibia Frogs, toads and other species have been decimated, worldwide, by fungal infections. Amphibians are now also threated by the protist Perknasea, which infects and kills their tadpoles. 8. Using machine learning to assess the dangers of agricultural chemicals, before they are approved for release Machine learning has proved helpful in assessing the safety of pharmaceuticals. It seems likely it could also be used to reduce the threats of herbicides and insecticides on species and ecosystems. 9. Developing thermovoltaic systems Thermovoltaic systems use heat to generate electricity. It's argued that this could reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce 'greenhouse gas' emissions. It seems a very good idea to get conservationists and scientists together to explore potentially fruitful colaborations.