Category Archives: Outreach Project

One Ocean that Unites Nations

Posted on April 4, 2019 by Suyoung Ahn | Leave a comment

Photo 1. Infographic of the role of the ocean. Licensed for reuse. Source.

The ocean, which covers 70% of the Earth’s surface, plays an important role in our everyday lives. It provides the oxygen we breathe, feeds us, and regulates our climate (Photo 1). It serves as a mode of transportation across the world and also provides an opportunity for recreational activities. However, it was found that that much of the ocean is now seriously deteriorated due to human impact. This impact is projected to increase as the human population continues to grow every year. Therefore, science-informed policies and strategies need to be implemented to protect the oceans are urgently needed.

Goal 14 and The Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

In order to address this issue, in 2015, the UN published the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which included an ocean-specific goal. Goal 14: Life Below Water states “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”. To meet this goal, the UN has announced a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) in hopes to mitigate the negative impacts on the ocean by gathering ocean stakeholders worldwide to come up with a scientifically supported framework to improve ocean health.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=YyiuLwhUpH4

The video above discusses the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
One Planet, One Ocean: Mobilizing Science to #SaveOur Ocean. Source.

At this event, multiple ocean communities from across the world come together to plan for the next ten years in ocean science and technology to make our ocean more sustainable. In May 2019, there will be a first global planning meeting where stakeholders from the world gather to discuss and investigate tangible actions and framework to meet the Decade’s objectives. This serves as a crucial introduction to creating a global dialogue towards sustainable ocean management.

For the keen learners out there, check out the podcast below, where you will further understand how the “blue economy” and “marine social sciences” are promoting sustainable management of oceans around the world.

The audio clip above is an episode of the world-famous podcast “Ask Juanonymously”
SO Project – Group 1. Source.

Canada’s Progress So Far

The statistics show that since the implementation of this policy, there have been positive steps to achieve Goal 14, through the expansion of protected areas for marine biodiversity and an increase in ocean science funding to preserve marine resources. However, an increase in education and awareness will assist in accomplishing Goal 14 at a much faster rate. As Vancouver residents are surrounded by coastal communities, it is crucial that we gain an understanding of the importance of protecting the ocean, through adopting sustainable habits. Take a look at the video below to learn more about how to maintain the one ocean that unites the nations together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFeXxhnsYq8&fbclid=IwAR0Nemp4PXiTropAD-SqHAj1FEp2eM5_rYbCHW3GYPjgzBjIIeLsVSKQ4d4

The video above outlines the importance of sustainable ocean management, including how YOU can play your part.
SO Project – Group 1. Source.

Written by: Suyoung Ahn, Christina Kim, Juan Gomez

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Posted in Outreach Project, Science Communication, Science in the News, Uncategorized

Tagged goal 14, ocean, ocean management, ocean science, Public Engagement, Statistics, United Nations

New Bird Behaviour Discovered: Exciting Discovery or Boring Fact

Posted on April 4, 2019 by gloria chan | Leave a comment

We always see birds flying around, but have you actually ever paid attention to what they are doing?

Recent research into bird behaviours has yielded some interesting observations. One such observation is a behaviour that birds in Central and South America displays. This behaviour is called “coordinated misdirection.” Coordinated misdirection was first observed by Alexander Skutch in the 1950s, but it wasn’t until recently that Eric Gulson-Castillo, Harold Greeney, and Benjamin Freeman furthered the study of the behaviour.

Image of a bird resting on top of its nest. Image from https://www.maxpixel.net/static/photo/1x/Feathered-Nature-Finch-Bird-Nest-1721311.jpg

What is coordinated misdirection?

Coordinated misdirection is coordinated diversion method employed as an anti-nest predation behaviour that is performed by a pair of birds. Prior to entering the nest, the two birds would perch around the vicinity of the nest. The birds would then fly towards the nest parallel to each other. As they get to the nest, one of the bird would fly into the nest while the other would proceed to make a diversionary trajectory that catches a predator’s eyes. The birds would later reunite on a perch somewhere else. The nests of these birds are typically dome shaped or hidden in crevices on mountain sides or in trees. This is so that there is more coverage over the nest and that there is only one entrance to the nest, therefore when the birds do this behaviour the nest would be much more easily concealable.

A dome shaped nest with a bird resting on it. Image from https://www.maxpixel.net/static/photo/1x/Bird-Nests-Feathered-Bird-Swallow-1700031.jpg

Why is this important?

Birds from around the globe would often use different behaviours to distract or fool predators so that their nest would have a higher surviving chance such as the broken-wing behaviour. This behaviour is similar to coordinated misdirection since they are both distraction behaviours that the birds would display to try to lead the predators away from their nests thus allowing the eggs to have a higher survival chance.

Toucans are one of the main nest predators in the Tropics. Image from https://www.maxpixel.net/static/photo/1x/Jungle-Keel-Billed-Toucan-Costa-Rica-Forest-1080724.jpg

One disadvantage about these displays is that it would typically only be useful for predators that use their vision such as monkeys or toucans. Therefore in essence, it is completely useless for predators that uses other ways to find nests such as snakes that uses scents.

In our interview, Dr. Freeman said:

“Behaviours that birds will do to protect their eggs and babies are much broader than previously thought”

This tells us that there are still a lot more that we can study from birds and that it would take a lot more effort to understand the effects and causation of a bird’s behaviour.

Nest predation will always be a main concern for birds. Consequently as time goes by, birds will evolve even better ways to prevent nest predation.

Group 4

Gloria Chan, Riley Cox, Fan Feng, Jonathan Kraft

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Outreach Project, Science Communication

Tagged animal behaviour, anti-nest predation, anti-predation, birds, eggs, nests, predators, preys

Secrets of the Greenland shark

Posted on April 3, 2019 by hayley carolan | Leave a comment

The secret to longevity may be lurking in Greenland’s waters.

Although the New Yorker describes the Greenland shark as having “an unfortunate dull-witted appearance,” some scientists believe that exciting prospects lie in studying the species’ physiology.

The Greenland shark. Source: Flickr, uploaded by Justin

This scientific interest was piqued by the discovery that the Greenland shark can live for at least 272 years, and may even surpass 400 years of age. However, until recently, little else was known about the shark due to its remote location in the frigid waters of the Northern Atlantic.

“They’re very large, they live at very great depths apparently, they’re slow-moving, and nothing else was known about them,” said Dr. Robert Shadwick, a professor of comparative physiology at the University of British Columbia.

In precarious times of warming oceans and shrinking sea ice, understanding the physiology of top predators, such as the Greenland shark, could reveal valuable insights into the dynamics of fragile arctic ecosystems. To this end, in 2012, twenty researchers, intrigued by the shark’s long lifespan and fueled by a passion to protect the natural world, set off from the coast of Greenland to learn more about the elusive creature.

Gone fishing.

Dr. Shadwick was one of the researchers on the expedition. He and his colleagues uncovered that the Greenland shark’s blood pressure is much lower than that of other sharks. To hear about the trip, which Dr. Shadwick described as a once in a lifetime opportunity, take a listen below.

Press play to hear what it’s like to go on a research cruise.

You’ve caught a shark, now what?

But, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Unlike humans, you can’t measure a shark’s blood pressure by placing a cuff around its fin. Instead, Dr. Shadwick and his colleagues had to come up with a novel technique that involved harvesting the blood vessels of the Greenland shark. For a detailed explanation of the method, check out the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6lbe8ZcOJg&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1ciSZ8XLpmr6NIFjD7TF4PHns7jqW7rgj-XLctgIGV7IDP9RNb9JE7Wtc

Learn how researchers determined the blood pressure of the Greenland shark.

About that lifespan…

Coupled with their slow swimming speeds, the finding that the Greenland shark has very low blood pressure suggests that the species needs to convert relatively little food to energy to sustain itself. Dr. Shadwick explained that this low energy requirement is likely one reason why the shark can live so long. By converting less food to energy, the shark experiences less wear and tear compared to other vertebrates, leading to a longer lifespan. Another contributor to the shark’s old age could be the cold waters it inhabits, as frigid temperatures have been shown to activate a variety of anti-aging genes.

We asked Dr. Shadwick if knowledge of the Greenland shark could one day lead to longer lifespans for humans. He replied, “Sure, why not. [chuckles] You never know what’s possible.”

Contributors: Hayley Carolan, David Infanti and Wayne Tse

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Outreach Project, Science Communication, Science in the News

Tagged Biology, blood pressure, comparative physiology, field research, Greenland shark, lifespan, marine ecology, physiology, Public Engagement, UBC

Whales are Absolutely Jaw Dropping

Posted on April 3, 2019 by SabrinaCheema | Leave a comment

Did you know that whales are the largest animals to have ever lived on earth? Yes, these gigantic mammals are even larger than any known dinosaur!

This image showing how much larger whales are than humans. Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Image-Blue_Whale_and_Hector_Dolphine_Colored.jpg?fbclid=IwAR29H5Kb6uE3ePxNld25HhObWwaaTG4jAbB9Fr_pww4F_LKh3S3dSK53tJw

WHALE JAW STRUCTURE

But how are whales able to feed underwater without being injured by the heavy flows of water and pressure they face within our great oceans? Well, Dr. Shadwick from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and his research team investigated the structural and mechanical properties of the whale mandible (lower jaw) in adult rorqual whales (humpback, fin, minke and blue whales). Dr. Shadwick and his team were trying to determine where the immense pressure and load is absorbed when these massive creatures swallow 5,000 gallons of water filled with shrimp, krill and phytoplankton.

Our podcast is discussing the structure of jaw in whales. Made by Group 210-6 and it is posted on Youtube https://youtu.be/NoNDhSnRAcA.

During feeding a whale lowers its lower jaw to extreme angles and swims very quickly which causes drag force of the water to expand the mouth opening more. Ultimately, the whale will engulf a volume of water larger than itself. The mechanical and structural properties of the expansion of the lower jaw are due to combination of high bone density and large area of the bone which prevents the bone from bending and breaking. Also, Dr. Shadwick and his team discovered the compact bone layer within the lower jaw is the main load bearing element.

Our video is discussing how whales are helping ocean ecosystems by moving nutrients and providing marine animals with a habitat. Source Group 210-6 and it is posted on Youtube https://youtu.be/5WkRYSSYZNk.

Now, we know that whales have an elastic lower jaw, which is made of highly dense and compacted bone layers that allow whales to withstand immense pressure and forces of water when feeding.

Video of a blue whale feeding on a pool of krill by opening its mouth to extreme angles. Source of video is National Geographic that was published on Youtube.

WHALES VS. PELICANS

However, are whales the only animals with an elastic lower jaw? Well, the answer is no because pelicans have evolved a similar body part too!

This image is showing a pelican flying over the ocean. Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pelikan_Walvis_Bay.jpg?fbclid=IwAR3FeUOZXeIyvgO9gawmPO3gIe6gRmJvijoYoKXLReEm_chNy5TvPLfS9Eg

Both, whales and pelicans have independently evolved similar elastic lower jaws and engulf their prey by swallow large volume of water. Both, their jaws consists of stretchy and elastic tissue resulting in the mouth to open almost 80 degrees. Furthermore, whales are able to swallow 50% of their total body volume whereas, pelicans can swallow 300% of their total body volume. Their lower jaws consists of an elastic pouch that holds the gallons of water with their prey. In whales this elastic pouch is called a ventral groove blubber whereas, in pelicans is it called the gular sac. Therefore, whales and pelicans are great examples of convergent evolution, when two not closely related lineages evolve similar traits due to adapting to similar environments. Both, their lower jaws withstand great amounts of pressure by allowing compacted bone layers to absorb the pressure and forces. Also, their lower jaws resistant the stress of bending in similar ways too.

Both, these toothless creatures have evolved similar jaw structures consisting of elastic and stretchy components which allows them to swallow large volumes of water without breaking and fracturing their jaws.

Group 210-6: Austin Chang, Sabrina Cheema, Emonil Dong, and Austin Tang

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Outreach Project, Science Communication

Tagged Biology, convergent evolution, lower jaw, pelicans, Physics, Public Engagement, UBC, whales

One-Way Ticket to Paradise

Posted on April 2, 2019 by Kelsey Wong | Leave a comment

A one-way ticket to paradise may seem like the ideal getaway to many, but like all good things in life, it will come at a cost. Imagine going on a tropical vacation to a small island in the West Pacific Ocean, participating in ecotourism activities, such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and ending the day by enjoying a freshly caught fish for dinner at a beachside restaurant. Sounds like the perfect, well-deserved vacation we all dream of, right? Well, little did you know, each and every one of these activities is contributing to the deterioration of the marine ecosystem, while simultaneously impacting the island’s economy.

FIRST STOP: PALAU

An aerial view of islands in the Republic of Palau. Source: Flickr Credit: Charly W. Karl

To investigate the impacts that tourism, offshore fisheries, and climate change have on small island and coastal communities, a team of researchers analyzed the Republic of Palau, a group of small islands with a population of about 20, 000 people, but a tourist destination that attracts over nine times that number annually. Located in the Pacific Ocean, about 750 km east of the Philippines, Palau is a world renowned ecotourism destination, known for its immense array of tropical species and magnificent coral reefs.

A SINKING ECONOMY

Tourists snorkeling with reef fish off the coast of Palau. Source: Wikimedia Commons Credit: Angelique800326

A recent increase in tourism, along with a high demand for reef fish, and the issue of climate change are all affecting the ecosystem. Unexperienced scuba divers and snorkelers commonly harm the wildlife by, for example, dropping equipment and gear into the ocean. A massive influx of tourists will inevitably require a greater amount of food available for consumption, most prominently local fish. Overexploitation of these fish by both local and foreign fleets may help to boost the economy now, but once fish supplies are exhausted, locals will not only lose a primary food source, they will also be at a loss for jobs. The number of flights reaching Palau each day, as well as the amount of traffic transporting people around the island contributes to climate change.

CLIMATE CHANGE WHO?

Climate change is often at the centre of attention in both the scientific and political communities. Often a topic of great debate, climate change nonetheless has devastating impacts on islands, such as Palau. Ocean acidification, species diversity loss, and rising sea levels are not only all interrelated, but they can also all be attributed to climate change. As discussed in the podcast below, climate change has many impacts on both the ecological and economical stabilities of Palau, and likely many other similar island and coastal communities.

NOT MY PROBLEM

Just because you don’t live on the island of Palau, or plan to visit it anytime soon, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be concerned about the ecological and economic issues this community is facing. As indicted by Dr. Andrés Cisneros-Montemayor in the video clip below, the findings from this study can be extrapolated to many other islands, in addition to coastal cities. By putting all of these factors together, it is clear that these islands might literally disappear in the future, putting both locals and tourists at risk.

Written by Chris Lam, Nick Di Lello, Kelsey Wong

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Issues in Science, Outreach Project, Science Communication

Tagged Climate Change, Coral Reefs, ecology, Ecotourism, Fisheries, Palau, Public Engagement, Reef Fish

Category Archives: Outreach Project

One Ocean that Unites Nations

New Bird Behaviour Discovered: Exciting Discovery or Boring Fact