The discovery of widespread parasite extinctions in ancient bird droppings has revealed a hidden crisis affecting endangered species everywhere. Researchers from the University of Adelaide, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, and the University of Auckland have made this groundbreaking find by analyzing faeces dating back over 1500 years.

Their study, published in Current Biology, shows that more than 80% of parasites detected in kākāpō poo prior to the 1990s are no longer present in contemporary populations. Nine out of 16 original parasite taxa disappeared before the 1990s, when the endangered parrot came under full-population management. An additional four were recorded as lost in the period since.

According to Dr. Jamie Wood from the University of Adelaide, “parasites are increasingly appreciated for their ecological importance.” They play a crucial role in ecosystems, helping with immune system development and competing to exclude foreign parasites that may be more harmful to their hosts. However, their dependence on living hosts makes them susceptible to extinction.

The phenomenon of coextinction, where a parasite goes extinct alongside its host, often occurs at a faster rate than for the host animal itself. Predictive models indicate that parasites may go extinct before their hosts during this process as opportunities to transmit between host individuals diminish. This has significant implications for faunal declines and parasite communities.

Lead author Alexander Boast from Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research was surprised by the degree of parasite loss in kākāpō populations, stating that “the level of parasite loss was greater than we had expected.” The study suggests that endangered species everywhere may possess fractions of their original parasite communities.

As we reckon with the impacts of biodiversity loss, Dr. Wood emphasizes the need to give due attention to parasitic life. Global rates of climate change, ecosystem modification, and biodiversity decline continue to rise, making it increasingly urgent to recognize and understand the downstream impacts on dependent species like parasites, mutualists, or predators.

Documenting parasite extinction, how quickly it can unfold, and estimating the number of presently threatened parasites are key first steps toward a “global parasite conservation plan” and supporting informed predictions for past, present, and future parasite losses.

The article begins by highlighting the pressing issue of petroleum-derived plastic pollution and the detrimental effects of microplastics on our food and water supplies. In response to this problem, researchers have been developing biodegradable versions of traditional plastics, or “bioplastics.” However, current bioplastics face challenges as they are not as strong as petrochemical-based plastics and only degrade through a high-temperature composting system.

Enter researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, who have solved both problems with inspiration from the humble leaf. The team decided to introduce cellulose nanofibers to the design of bioplastics, creating a multilayer structure where cellulose is in the middle and the bioplastics are on two sides. This unique biomimicking design allows for broader bioplastic utilization, addressing the limitations of current versions.

The researchers emerged from working with two high-production bioplastics today: polyhydroxybutrate (PHB) and polylactic acid (PLA). They used a variation of their leaf-inspired cellulose nanofiber structure to improve the strength and biodegradability of these plastics. The optimized bioplastic, called Layered, Ecological, Advanced and multi-Functional Film (LEAFF), turned PLA into a packaging material that is biodegradable at room temperature.

The researchers’ innovation was in adding the cellulosic structure that replicates cellulose fibrils embedded within the bioplastics. This unique design allows for critical properties such as low air or water permeability, helping keep food stable, and a surface that is printable. Additionally, the LEAFF’s underlying cellulose structure gives it a higher tensile strength than even petrochemical plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene.

The researchers hope this technology can scale up soon and seek commercial and philanthropic partners to help bring these improved processes to industry. They believe the United States is uniquely positioned to dominate the bioplastics market and establish a “circular economy” wherein waste products are reused, fed back into systems instead of left to pollute the air and water or sit in landfills.

The article concludes by highlighting the potential for the U.S. to create jobs and new markets through the development and implementation of this sustainable technology. The researchers also emphasize the importance of circular reuse in turning waste into useful materials.

The hidden climate battle between forests and the ocean is a crucial aspect of planetary health that has been largely overlooked until now. A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals a significant increase in global photosynthesis driven by terrestrial plants, which was partially offset by a weak decline in photosynthesis among marine algae.

The researchers used satellite-based data to analyze annual changes in net primary production for land and ocean ecosystems over the years 2003-2021. They found that terrestrial net primary production increased at a rate of 0.2 billion metric tons of carbon per year, while marine net primary production declined by about 0.1 billion metric tons of carbon per year.

The study suggests that warming temperatures in higher latitudes and temperate regions led to an increase in primary production on land, mainly driven by plants in these areas. However, the opposite effect was observed in some ocean areas, where rising sea surface temperatures likely reduced primary production by phytoplankton in tropical and subtropical regions.

The findings have broad implications for planetary health and climate change mitigation. The researchers emphasize that declines in net primary production in tropical and subtropical oceans can weaken the foundation of tropical food webs, with cascading effects on biodiversity, fisheries, and local economies. Over time, these disruptions could also compromise the ability of tropical regions to function as effective carbon sinks.

The study points to the importance of coordinated monitoring of both land and ocean ecosystems as integrated components of Earth’s health. It highlights the need for long-term observations to better understand the dynamics of net primary production in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

The hidden climate battle between forests and the ocean is a crucial aspect of planetary health that requires attention from policymakers, scientists, and the public. The study’s findings emphasize the importance of addressing the complex interactions between land and ocean ecosystems to mitigate the impacts of climate change on our planet.