Chernobyl's Zone of Exclusion Showing a Decline in Biodiversity - Polidicks

[I]via: [/I]BBC [release] The largest wildlife census of its kind conducted in Chernobyl has revealed that mammals are declining in the exclusion zone surrounding the nuclear power plant. The study aimed to establish the most reliable way to measure the impact on wildlife of contamination in the zone. It was based on almost four years of counting and studying animals there. Tim Mousseau University of South Carolina The scientists say that birds provide the best "quantitative measure" of these impacts. They report their findings in the journal Ecological Indicators. The research team say that their census of species in the zone - which was carried out for more than three years - provides more evidence that contamination has a "significant impact" on biodiversity. Professor Timothy Mousseau from the University of South Carolina, US, and Dr Anders Moller from the University of Paris-Sud, France, worked together on the project. From 2006-2009, they counted and examined wildlife including insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Their previously published work revealed some of the negative impacts on birds and on insects of the low-level radiation that still contaminated the exclusion zone surrounding the power plant. The new data on mammals and reptiles shows what Professor Moussaeu described as a "strong signal" of reduced biodiversity in these groups too. [IMG]http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48555000/jpg/_48555127_chernobyl-swallows3.jpg[/IMG] Migrating birds may be more sensitive to the effects of radiation The research team compared the abundance of species in the exclusion zone with similar types of habitats in the area, which were not contaminated. "The truth is that these radiation contamination effects were so large as to be overwhelming," Professor Mousseau told BBC News. During their census work, he and Dr Moller have also examined the effects of radiation contamination on the animals. They say that these impacts are particularly obvious in birds. In their studies on barn swallows, the team observed birds with tumours on their feet, necks and around their eyes. "We think they may be more susceptible, after their long migrations, to additional environmental stress," explained Professor Mousseau. Poison or haven? Scientists in the Ukraine criticised the conclusions. Dr Sergii Gashchak, a researcher at the Chornobyl Center in Ukraine was not available for comment on this latest paper. But he spoke to BBC News last year and dismissed the team's previous findings on insects and birds. He said that he drew "opposite conclusions". "Wildlife really thrives in Chernobyl area - due to the low level of [human] influence," Dr Gashchak told BBC News. "All life appeared and developed under the influence of radiation, so mechanisms of resistance and recovery evolved to survive in those conditions," he continued. But Professor Mousseau said the evidence of an increase in biodiversity in the region is "purely anecdotal". "This is the first paper that provides quantitative, rigorous data that the mammals really are significantly affected by contamination," he told BBC News. "That said - it's not a bad idea to set this place up as a wildlife haven - it's a natural laboratory where we can study the long-term consequences of this kind of an accident." [IMG]http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48555000/jpg/_48555123_chernobyl_bandonned_farm.jpg[/IMG] Some reports suggested that the lack of humans was beneficial for wildlife Dr Mousseau also criticised a recently made documentary film called Chernobyl, A Natural History, which has been promoted by a French production company as showing how nature has "recolonised" the exclusion zone in the absence of man. Professor Mousseau said: "If society is ever to learn more about the long term environmental consequences of large scale accidents - and Chernobyl is just one of several - it is important that we all take our responsibilities seriously."[/release] [URL="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-10819027"]Source[/URL] For those of you who do not know the background of wildlife in the zone of exclusion: [quote=Wikipedia, Zone of Alienation] There has been an ongoing scientific debate about the extent that [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora_%28plants%29"]flora[/URL] and [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauna_%28animals%29"]fauna[/URL] of the zone were affected by the radioactive contamination that followed the accident. No scientifically documented cases of [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutant"]mutant[/URL] deformity in animals of the zone were reported other than partial [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albinism"]albinism[/URL] in [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swallow"]swallows[/URL] and insect mutations. There have been individual eyewitness reports of other animal mutations but no comprehensive statistical analysis has been completed to date. The cloud of heavily polluted dust left the [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Forest"]Red Forest[/URL] ([I]Rudyi Lis[/I])—a strand of highly-irradiated [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine"]pine[/URL] wood near the plant, which was subsequently bulldozed. There have been reports that wildlife has flourished due to significant reduction of human impact. For this reason, the zone is considered by some as a classic example of an [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Involuntary_park"]involuntary park[/URL]. Populations of traditional [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polesia"]Polesian[/URL] animals (like [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_Wolf"]wolves[/URL], wild [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boar"]boar[/URL] and [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_Deer"]Roe Deer[/URL]), [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Deer"]red deer[/URL], [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moose"]moose[/URL], and [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver"]beaver[/URL] have multiplied enormously and begun expanding outside the zone. The area also houses herds of European [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisent"]wisent[/URL] and [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Przewalski%27s_Horse"]Przewalski's Horses[/URL] released there after the accident. Even extremely rare [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynx"]lynx[/URL] have appeared, and there are reports of tracks from [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_bear"]brown bear[/URL], an animal not seen in the area for several centuries. Special [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_warden"]game warden[/URL] units are organized to protect and control them. The rivers and lakes of the zone pose a significant threat of spreading polluted [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silt"]silt[/URL] during spring floods. They are systematically secured by [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dike_%28construction%29"]dikes[/URL]. [/quote] Basically, due to lack of human interaction, flora and fauna in the zone flourished, and it is now declining.

No mutant animals? :saddowns:

[img]http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48555000/jpg/_48555123_chernobyl_bandonned_farm.jpg[/img] There's a bloodsucker in there, there always fuckin is

[quote]it's a natural laboratory where we can study the long-term consequences of this kind of an accident[/quote] Sure, to study the consequences, not making some diabolical mind-controlling hivemind. Right?

Get out of there, A.N.I.M.A.L.S.

Well, it's a pretty damaged ecosystem, but no hope of slathering mutants with fangs and tentacles. This ain't the 1950's anymore.

One day the ecologists, I mean scientists will set up another mission to the zone and wont come back. There bodies found drained from blood.

They should not go too deep in there. A freaking mutant rat will kill them before they can shut down evil AI computers the Russians made in the cover up.

My only response is "no shit". Of course the number of mammals in the area is going to decline - humans aren't the only type of mammal that reacts badly to radiation.

[QUOTE=Upgrade123;23735994]No mutant animals? :saddowns:[/QUOTE] The animals don't live long enough to be affected alot by the radiation.

[quote]During their census work, he and Dr Moller have also examined the effects of radiation contamination on the animals. They say that these impacts are particularly obvious in birds. In their studies on barn swallows, the team observed birds with tumours on their feet, necks and around their eyes.[/quote] I find it ridiculous that those Ukrainian scientist oppose these findings. Numerical data is one thing to debate, but when you have something as blatant as birds flying around with tumorous growths and you state that the wildlife has not been adversely effected, you're just moronic.

You mean that there's [i]less[/i] animals in an irradiated wasteland? Holy shit I had no idea. Good thing we have scientists to point this shit out. :pseudo:

[QUOTE=Luxo;23737716]I find it ridiculous that those Ukrainian scientist oppose these findings. Numerical data is one thing to debate, but when you have something as blatant as birds flying around with tumorous growths and you state that the wildlife has not been adversely effected, you're just moronic.[/QUOTE] Of course the Ukrainians would deny that life in the zone is dying, you know, the zone that's [I]in Ukraine[/I]. [editline]10:30AM[/editline] How do you think their government would react to something any different from what they said?

No shit Strelok

wait. so you're telling me that animals are dying in a nuclear fallout zone? no way

So it's safe to say that the area wouldn't immediately kill you? Interesting find though.

[QUOTE=nunu;23737495]The animals don't live long enough to be affected alot by the radiation.[/QUOTE] Its a STALKER joke. This thread will, and is, full of them.

The Zone has claimed another life.

[IMG]http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5636/animalconservation.jpg[/IMG]

What? Radiation kills things?! Mind blown

I like how they didn't mention that other study that showed mice and smaller mamals growing in numbers due to better resistance to the radiation by faster metabolism. [editline]09:52PM[/editline] [QUOTE=David29;23737473]My only response is "no shit". Of course the number of mammals in the area is going to decline - humans aren't the only type of mammal that reacts badly to radiation.[/QUOTE] You completely missed the point. It is about initially growing numbers of everything, plants, mamals, birds, insects, you name it. However, the influence of the radiation is stronger now that animals lived there for many generations.

I'm gonna go to Chernobyl and roll around in the grass. Hopefully I'll get super powers

Just remember, if you go with a buddy, be prepared for him to break his leg.

Scientists discover that dying is fatal. Scientists have recently discovered that blowing your nose clears the nasal passages. Also, Scientists have found that you get less animals on the site of a nuclear disaster.