Octo Einstein

Julian Finn and Mark Norman of Museum Victoria in Melbourne have reported (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091214121953.htm) what they think is the first example of tool use in an invertebrate. They observed several specimens of an octopus Amphioctopus marginatus, in the seas around North Sulawesi and Bali, collecting half coconut shells that had been disposed of by vendors and then carrying them to 'home' locations. When they arrived at their chosen spot, they assembled two halves to make "a spherical hideout". There is no doubt that the octopus is amongst the most intelligent of the animals that lack a back-bone (they are probably brighter than many fish, amphibia and reptiles). The behaviour seems to be an adaptation of the cephalopod using discarded mollusc shells.

Birder's Bonus 62

Lots of activity by mobs of Long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) in Gorseinon and a male Bullfinch (Pyrrula pyrrula) on the prowl in Bynea. Also news from the UK British Trust for Ornithology suggesting that some 16 bird species appear to live longer than previously thought (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/biology_evolution/article6954742.ece). They put this new information down to having developed better rings (there is a bit of a debate about whether rings reduce the efficiencies of these animals). Amongst the new record holders was a Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) that lived (it's now an ex-godwit) for 34 years (the previous record for the species was 32 years).

Jumping Jacks Flash (It's a Gas, Gas, Gas)!!

Disturbing news that Swansea bay (with its SSSI for birds and occasional Harbour porpoise population) has been selected as one of the sites where exploratory drilling to locate coal for potential gasification will be allowed (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/wales/2009/green_wales/8403517.stm). The idea that this is a 'green technology' is stretching things dramatically. Not only will the drilling cause disturbance and potential pollution of the environment, but any gas would be burnt releasing yet more carbon dioxide.

It's a No Brain(coral)er!

The propaganda is flying in connection with the Copenhagen Climate Change conference. One of the more biological and effective is a little item by Earth Watch in association with the Zoological Society of London (http://www.youtube.com/zslvideo) on the potential demise of coral reefs (there are several versions of varying length). The footage has been shot in real locations and one can't really argue with the basic premise that these marine structures are in all probability on the way out. Check it out and see what you think. You might also want to watch the 10 minute version.

Seeing the Changes 250

It seems to have rained forever! In Penclacwydd, the moisture appears to have encouraged the appearance of Orange peel fungus (Peziza aurantia) on dead Gorse branches.

Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen!

Interesting juxtapositions in the Monday 7th December copy of the Independent newspaper. Firstly, they distribute a booklet from the Met Office entitled "Warming: Climate change-the facts". Then a headline warns that, in the UK, the rich and the middle income folk are likely to have to undergo substantial reductions in their standards of living in the immediate future(http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/big-squeeze-hits-middle-classes-and-rich-1835494.html). Thirdly, that Professor Kevin Anderson, a senior climate change scientist at Manchester University, has described the proposed cuts 'on the table' at the Copenhagen climate change conference as being 'token' and incapable of limiting the temperature rise to the 2 degrees Centigrade (http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/greenhouse-gas-cuts-just-token-gestures-1835499.html), guessed to be the maximum that can be reasonably tolerated. Lastly, it is suggested, largely because the server involved is in Siberia and the analysis 'professional' , that the 'convenient' leaking of the UEA Climate Change Research Unit emails just before the conference can be linked to the Russian secret services (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/was-russian-secret-service-behind-leak-of-climatechange-emails-1835502.html). Sounds like a script from 'Spooks'! No wonder bankers are fighting to keep their bonuses. It's all a bit depressing on what is already a wet Monday.

Taking a Pop at Population

A new initiative, the Optimal Population Trust, has been advocated by Saint David (Attenborough) and others (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/03/carbon-offset-projects-climate-change). It enables rich nations and their folk to offset their carbon emissions, not by planting trees, but by funding birth control in parts of the world where people currently have no access to it. The funding would apparently only be directed to people who want contraception (it has been estimated that there are about 80m unwanted pregnancies per year in such locations). The rationale behind the scheme is the calculation that spending £4 on birth control saves around a tonne of carbon dioxide in emissions whereas the same savings would require £8 to be spent on tree planting, £15 on wind power, £31 on solar energy and a massive £56 on hybrid vehicle technology. You get a bigger bang for your buck! It is certainly the case that human overpopulation is a major contributor to current environmental problems (the total savings generated by curtailing population growth would actually be greater than simply reducing greenhouse gas emissions). It will be interesting, however, to see how religious and political groups respond to this suggestion. I suspect it will be regarded as interference in areas supposedly taboo to science.