Blue whale population rebounds after whaling ban
The population of blue whales in the Eastern Pacific has recovered to 97 percent of historic levels after whaling was banned more than 40 years ago. Researchers from the University of Washington used whale songs to estimate the current population in the Eastern Pacific — one of two Pacific populations — at 2,200 individuals. The authors warn that an increase in ship traffic could present a risk to California blue whales. More:...
Scientists propose using lasers to map rainforests
A new Carbon Balance and Management paper argues that mapping the world’s tropical forests with a fleet of airplanes outfitted with advanced lasers, known as LiDAR, could rapidly and accurately assess global forest carbon stocks for $250 million, or less than the cost of a typical Earth observation satellite mission. The paper says the system could be used to provide a baseline for REDD+, a program that aims to compensate...