Ghosts of the Mountains by Casey Garrett

    Scientifically known as Panthera uncia, Snow leopards are rare, gorgeous gray cats who reside in the cold, treacherous mountains of Central Asia. They are so rare and elusive in fact that they are commonly referred to as "ghosts of the mountains". With bodies beautifully designed to combat the fierce mountain chill, they are insulated by thick smoky, spotted fur and their massive, insulated paws act as natural snowshoes. If spotted, snow leopards are most likely to inhabit high rocky mountainsides, alpine meadows, and high altitude forests.

    Snow leopards are expert mountaineers and ideal for their cold, harsh environment for many reasons. First, they have short front limbs and powerful hind leg muscles that can leap as far as 30 feet in the snow. Built with especially sturdy chest muscles, snow leopards have the ability to maintain stamina when climbing steep mountainsides. They also utilize their long, thick, bushy tails for balance and warmth.

Snow Leopards are opportunistic hunters but they prey mainly on blue sheep and the mountain ibex. One average, snow leopards are 4-5 feet in length and weigh 60-120 pounds. Astoundingly, they can kill prey three times their size!

BEHAVIOR:

    Snow leopards are vey shy creatures who live primarily in solitude. Scientists have found that the best methods for observing this species is through camera traps and natural markings. Dawn and dusk are the best times to spot a snow leopard. Female snow leopards are able to give birth at around 2-4 years in age with gestation periods lasting from 90-110 days. They usually mother 2-3 cubs at a time who remain dependent for 1.5-2 years before becoming independent. Snow leopard’s natural lifespan ranges from 18-20 years.

* GREAT VIDEO CAPTURING THE BEAUTY OF THE SNOW LEOPARD

     

    Snow Leopards are typically found at altitudes between 9,800 and 17,000 feet in the high, dry, rugged mountains of Central Asia. Snow Leopards are known to have populations in the following countries: Afghanistan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, areas of Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. China contains roughly 60% of snow leopard habitat and scientists estimate that there are only 3,500-4,000 snow leopards remaining in the wild with 700 in captivity.



There are four major threats to the remaining snow leopard population:

1. Poaching

Poaching has always been a problem with snow leopards due to their silky soft thick pelts. Snow leopard's limbs, organs and bones are also treasured in traditional Asian medicine. In addition, many of the geographic areas that snow leopards are found are also abundant with poverty and low-income families. The pelt of a snow leopard is highly valuable and worth large sums of money. For a poor desperate farmer, the skin of a snow leopard could easily propel him or her to wealth. With low levels of economic prosperity in the central Asian region, some hotels go as far as selling snow leopard pelts to tourists.

CLICK TO SEE FASCINATING VIDEO ABOUT SNOW LEOPARD POACHING

2. Conflict with communities

Local farmers and herders kill snow leopards in retaliation to them eating livestock. As a result of habitat loss, climate change, and a decline in the availability of natural prey, hungry leopards are forced to prey on the livestock of farmers.

3. Habitat destruction, degradation and fragmentation

Snow leopards need large amounts of space to be at optimal fitness. Expanding human and livestock populations are rapidly encroaching on the habitats of snow leopards. Although human population density in the snow leopard’s habitat is relatively low, people whose livelihoods depend on their livestock heavily utilize it. Combined with a high demand for goods such as cashmere, herds have increased in size and overgrazing has become a serious issue. New roads and mines are also fragmenting snow leopard habitat.

4. Climate change

Due to the fact that climate change causes temperatures to gradually increase, snow lines recede on the mountain ranges. As snow leopards move to higher elevations in search of prey, the vegetation becomes scarcer, which means that prey becomes limited and the leopards struggle to find sustainability

WHY ARE SNOW LEOPARDS IMPORTANT?

    The snow leopard is a cultural and economic symbol of healthy high-mountain ecosystems.They have a lot of instrumental value and contribute to human wellbeing by providing biodiversity and cultural significance. Snow leopards are an important cultural and spiritual symbol in Central and South Asia. In addition, the species promotes recreation and tourism to aid economic growth.

    Snow leopards were declared endangered by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service in 1972 and was placed on the International Union Conservation of Nature Red List in 1986.The Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) seeks to conserve snow leopards and their high-mountain ecosystems.

    One of the primary goals of the GLSEP is identify and secure at least 20 healthy populations of wild snow leopards by 2020. In order to do that, there are 7 main commitments that all 12 countries that contain snow leopard populations must take in order to achieve the ultimate goal of ensuring that snow leopards and the people who live among them contribute to the prosperity and well-being of communities and the planet.

The 7 general steps to recovery according to the GLSEP are as follows:

1. Engaging local communities in conservation.
2. Managing habitats and prey of snow leopards via close monitoring. This includes evaluation of    specific range areas of populations.
3. Combating poaching and illegal trade of snow leopards.
4. International management of snow leopards and enforcement of that management through industries.
5. Continued research of snow leopards.
6. Enhancing conservation policies and institutions.
7. SPREADING AWARENESS of the snow leopard.

What Can You Do?

DONATE to the Snow Leopard Trust!

HERE is the link to the website. through the Snow Leopard Trust, you can also symbolically adopt a snow leopard! The money donated through this fund is used to exclusively support projects on Snow Leopard conservation in 5 of the 12 countries where snow leopards are found.

1. Snow leopards are actually not aggressive towards humans. There has never been a documented report of a snow leopard attack. Due to their shy nature, snow leopards are more likely to flee a threatening situation rather than acting in aggression.
2. Snow leopards do not have the ability to roar as a result of the structure of their vocal chords.
3. CUTE SNOW LEOPARD'S BFF VIDEO
4. Scientists still know little information about the snow leopard because they are so elusive.
5. Unlike other big cats, snow leopards have light eyes ranging from pale green to icy blue.


THANKS FOR READING!


WORKS CITED:


1. Global. SNOW LEOPARD ECOSYSTEM (n.d.): n. pag. Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program Conference Document for Endorsement. Web.

2. "Saving Snow Leopards Since 1981." Snow Leopard Trust. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2015.

3. "Species Profile for Snow Leopard (Uncia (=Panthera) Uncia)." Species Profile for Snow Leopard (Uncia (=Panthera) Uncia). U.S Fish & Wildlife Service, n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2015.

4."Snow Leopard." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2015.

5. "Basic Facts About Snow Leopards." Defenders of Wildlife. N.p., 08 Apr. 2012. Web. 04 Dec. 2015.


Photos:

1. http://www.webmastergrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Snow-Leopard.jpg
2. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/59/07/ab/5907abdd36ef6f1143106184d6f72e10.jpg
3. http://www.celsias.com/media/uploads/admin/Jason_Brown2.jpg
4. http://ihdwallpapers.com/wallpapers/2012/05/24/amazing_snow_leopard-640x960.jpg
5. http://applespecialist.com/images/SnowLeopardTrust.jpg
6. url
7. http://cache1.asset-cache.net/gc/88550365-moon-over-snowy-mountains-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=Vt7t2ZA%2F8dUzyLaJgBMQBdvumzy9DUnXkmQPQuXwipU%3D
8. http://www.snowleopard.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P1120807.jpg
9.http://media2.popsugar-assets.com/files/2010/06/23/5/192/1922243/snow_leopard_08_wenn2881763/i/Pictures-Baby-Snow-Leopards.jpg
10. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7029/6608415317_bbb47cf907_b.jpg
11.http://www.snowleopard.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Snow-Leopard-Range-Map-GSLEP.jpg

Northern Sea Otter

The Northern Sea Otter

By Olga Esmeral

What is a Northern Sea Otter?

The Northern sea otter (Enhyra ultras kenyoni) is the largest species in the mustelid family, and is one of the smallest marine mammals. Adults may grow up to 5 feet in length, males weighing  80–100 lbs. and females 50–70 lbs. It has unique adaptations, allowing it to thrive in the nearshore marine environment. As the only marine mammal species that lacks a blubber layer, it is dependent on a dense coat of fur for insulation from cold water. They have a pretty high metabolic rate that helps them maintain body temperature. This requires them to consume large amounts of prey, as much as 20-33% of their body weight each day. This diet mainly consists of benthic invertebrates. Their habitat is generally in or near shallow water. The threatened population includes the Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment.

Range

Sea otters do not migrate long distances. They usually stay in a home range that could consists of a few square km up to 40 km2. The northern sea otter subspecies (E. lutris kenyoni), is found in the Aleutian Islands, Southern Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. There are 3 stocks in Alaska. The Southeast stock is in the coastal waters of Southeast Alaska. The southcentral population goes from west of Glacier Bay to the eastern edge of Cook Inlet. The Southwest population stretches from the western edge of Cook Inlet out the Aleutian islands. 

What Happened to the Cutest Marine Mammal?

The estimated population of sea otters worldwide was once between several hundred thousand to over one million before to almost facing extinction by hunting of fur traders in the 1700s and 1800s. Sea otters eventually gained protection from International Fur Seal Treaty of 1911, and became listed under the Marine Mammal Protection and Endangered Species Acts in the 1970s. Based on survey information that showed the southwest Alaska population of northern sea otters had declined by more than 50% since the mid- 1980s, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) listed this distinct population segment (DPS) as threatened in August 2005.

The Bad Guys

1.  Most important are predation (moderate to high importance) and oil spills (low to moderate importance).
2.  Increased predation is caused most likely by the killer whale (Orcinus orca)                                  
3. Infectious disease, biotoxins, contaminants, food limitation, disturbance, bycatch in fisheries, subsistence harvest, loss of habitat, and illegal take, are also considered in this recovery plan.   

Road to Recovery  

Goal of the recovery plan is to control or reduce threats to the southwest Alaska DPS of the northern sea otter to the extent that it no longer needs protection by the ESA and can be delisted. To attain this goal there are 3 objectives:

1.      Establish a self-sustaining population of sea otters in each management unit
2.          Maintain enough sea otters to assure a functional role in nearshore ecosystem
3.      Mitigate threats sufficiently to guarantee persistence of sea otters.       

Extras:

•             Monitoring the status of the kelp forest ecosystem in the Western Aleutian and Eastern Aleutian MUs. 
•              identifying characteristics of sea otter habitat, and ensuring that efficient oil spill response capability exist in southwest Alaska. 
•              Predation is considered to be the most important threat to recovery, additional research on that topic is also a high priority
•            Total cost: $15 million 

Let's Take Action

Due to oil spills being significant factors in the overall threat towards the Northern Sea Otter, I plan on using less oil and oil-based products to decrease oil pollution in sea otter habitats. Some simple ways of cutting down include switching to vegetable and fruit-based detergents and household cleaners, using paper bags and avoiding plastic and Styrofoam packaging, and walking or biking to short destinations more often in the place of driving. 

Want to make a small donation that could go a long way towards Northern Sea Otter recovery? You can join Defenders of Wildlife and adopt a sea otter through donation! https://secure.defenders.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=wagc_seaotter&s_src=3WEW1600XXXXX&s_subsrc=120215_adopt_body_sea-otter/how-you-can-help

References:

Deborah. "How the Expensive Fur of the Sea Otter Is Secured." Scientific

American 56.1452supp (1903): 23263. How Can I Help the Sea Otter? Friends of

the Sea Otter, 28 Mar. 2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2015. 

"Northern Sea Otter Species Profile, Alaska Department of Fish and Game." Northern

Sea Otter Species Profile, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. State of

Alaska, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

"Threats to Sea Otters." Wild Places and Wildlife. Defenders of Wildlife, 19 Mar. 2012.

Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

"Southwest Alaska DPS of the Northern Sea Otter Recovery Plan." 2013. Endangered

Species Recovery Plans. US Fish and Wildlife, 25 June 2013. Web. 23 Nov.

2015.

Guthrie's Ground Plum (Pyne's Ground Plum) Astragalus bibullatus

BY: GRACE GUTHREY

FORWARD

I chose this species of plant for obvious reasons... Being a fellow Guthrey, I feel obligated to protect members of my family, however distant. I hope to spread word of this species' endangerment and therefore increase its chances of revival and long-time survival.

(1)

ECOLOGY

Guthrie's ground-plum is a small, purple legume endemic to Tennessee, specifically concentrated in the cedar glades. 

(2)

The cedar glades are located in central Tennessee and are set aside as protected land full of endangered species and habitats. Guthrie's Ground Plum is able to thrive in this area, and in this area alone, because of the exposed bedrock, poor drainage, thin soils, and lack of vegetation to block sunlight. Additionally, the typically wet winter and spring, as well as the dry and hot summer weather provide the ground plum with the perfect conditions to grow.

(3)

Guthrie's Ground Plum, or Pyne's Ground Plum, was named after Milo Pyne who discovered the species in the 1980s. It grows up from the ground and then, as the purple plum-shaped fruits bloom, it begins to droop low to the ground where the blooms continue to develop on the ground. 

Flowers bloom in the spring followed by fruit in the summer. At most, fifty fruits can bloom on one plant. Once the fruits mature, they're red and yellow colored, though initially purple.

POPULATION

The only populations of Guthrie's Ground Plum exist in Rutherford County, Tennessee. A total of eight populations have been discovered. While five are located on public lands, three populations of bibullatus are located on private lands.

LISTING

Guthrie's ground-plum was listed on September 26, 1991 as an endangered species.

WHAT'S HURTING THEM?

This species is most threatened by development by humans including residential, commercial and industrial. Additionally, Guthrey's Ground Plum is threatened by livestock that graze in locations near  or in their habitat as well as rabbits that feed on it. Other minor threats include encroachment of other vegetation (ex: cedar), off-road vehicles, dumping of wastes and pollution.

(4)

SAVE THE PLUM!

The cost to recover Guthrie's Ground Plum will amount to approximately $2710. If these funds are provided, the expected recovery date is 2025.

Because the goal is to ensure long-term recovery for the Guthrie Ground Plum, we must address all current threats to its existence and expand on its current habitat so that it will not be re-listed. 

Thus, the steps to recovery are these:

a). Acquire habitat. 

Because three occurrences of the bibullatus exist on private property, the recovery plan looks toward acquiring these lands in the future to place under federal ownership and protection.

b). Pursue protection with landowners. 

Ideally, these private landowners would sell or donate the land that contains bibullatus on the property. However, not all landowners are willing enough and therefore must be reasoned with about protecting the species while they still own the land.

c). Develop and implement adaptive management plans for each occurrence. 

Each population is threatened by different things and must have its own location-specific management plan. Each plan would 1), describe the desired ecological condition at the site, 2), identify threats, 3), outline management strategies for these threats, and 4), provide a schedule of management or identify thresholds that would result in specific management responses.

d). Monitor population structure, demographic processes, and threats and assess population growth rates and viability. 

This step in the recovery process involves identifying and monitoring factors that could limit population growth or lead to declines in population.

e). Identify suitable unoccupied habitat and establish new occurrences. 

To ensure long term recovery, we need to establish more habitats for the bibullatus to inhabit. This step includes searching for new areas with similar climate and soil.

f). Communicate with local officials to coordinate city and county planning. 

"Meet periodically with local city and county officials to solicit their participation in the conservation of the species." Because many of the threats to Guthrie's Ground Plum are related to development by humans, this step would be crucial in keeping the city and county from building near or on these habitats.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

While Guthrie's Ground Plum is not very well known nor is it a "warm and fuzzy" animal species that captures the attention of more people, it is just as important as other listed species on the recovery plan. As an individual, there isn't much you can do to prevent extinction of Guthrie's Ground Plum. However, one of the actions listed under the recovery plan is to study its life history and ecological requirements. Be aware! Now that you've read this blog post, take the time to share it with family and friends! The more people know about this species, the more likely attention will be brought to recovering it and ultimately delisting the species altogether! 

LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION? 

Check out this book!
Vascular Flora of the Southeastern United States
Vol. 3, Part 2:Leguminosae (fabaceae)

Written by Duane Isely

                                                                                                                                  (5)

SOURCES:

PHOTOS:

(1). http://www.joelsartore.com/stock/search/?search=%22guthrie%27s+ground+plum%22

(2). http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=8648

(3). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedar_glade#/media/File:Cedar-glade-col-tn5.jpg

(4). http://www.joelsartore.com/stock/search/?search=%22guthrie%27s+ground+plum%22
(5). http://www.uncpress.unc.edu/browse/book_detail?title_id=277

RESEARCH:

http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=8648

http://www.mtsu.edu/mtsucee/cedar_glades.php

http://www.arkive.org/pynes-ground-plum/astragalus-bibullatus/
http://www.uncpress.unc.edu/browse/book_detail?title_id=277

RECOVERY PLAN: 
http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/20110722b_Pynes%20ground%20plum_RP_final_1.pdf