Salty Wave Newsletter
Salty Wave Story #19
Welcome to Salty Wave Stories, I specialize in creating visual presentations for scientists, labs, wildlife zoos, non-profit organisations, institutes, museums, and universities.
In April -
Visual Project
Strange Sidetrack
Dogs Doing Good Things
Soundscape Adventure
On The Eco Front
Rocky’s Walk Repawt
Photo by Pexels
Visual Project
Mangroves are beautiful places to wander through because of the diversity of tree morphologies mangrove species grow into. The array of wildlife species inhabiting these places is different depending on the location. The birdlife is one of the reasons why I enjoy visiting mangroves, the bird songs are so pretty, along with the striking displays of colour - like a Kingfisher flying passed with a crab in its mouth – not so though, for the unfortunate crustacean.
Here is a photo I captured at Tabbil Ban Dhagun Mangrove Boardwalk at Nudgee Beach in Brisbane - a RAMSAR site that forms part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park.
Photo by Gabrielle Ahern
Strange Sidetrack
The environment affects the way we as humans behave every day and historically, climate has determined how a community might advance into a thriving society or drastically decline due to the availability of basic necessities like water and food. The reason why the human race has survived is our keen intellect, which affords us with the ability to understand what is happening around us, think of innovative ideas and adjust our lifestyle to successfully adapt and survive despite adversity.
In a PLOS One paper, archaeologists have reported evidence for the first time that humans inhabited a lava tube in Harrat Khaybar, north-western Saudi Arabia. The lava tube measures 1481 metres long, 8 to12 metres high and 45 metres wide. It was here the scientists recorded circular and rectangular structures, cave wall art and various artefacts the inhabitants used; and a large cache of fossilized wildlife remains – important clues as to how these people lived. The authors reported during the Pleistocene and Holocene, humid climate conditions generated ponds and lakes creating wetlands, helping plants and animals to thrive.
Credit: Stewart M, Andrieux E, Blinkhorn J, Guagnin M, Fernandes R, Vanwezer N, et al. (2024) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0299292
Description by authors: Top left, looking out of entrance to Umm Jirsan (Trench 1 just out of view on right). Top right, inside lava tube beyond Trench 1. Middle left, another example of a lava tube near Umm Jirsan. Middle right, Jebel Abyad area with obsidian clasts and lithics, beneath obsidian outcrops. Bottom, simple plan of the Umm Jirsan lava tube system with red star indicating the location of the Trench 1 excavation.
Why is this discovery so important?
The researcher’s findings support the theory an ‘oasis agriculture’ emerged, where Neolithic groups used the caves to shelter in and graze their flocks, while travelling to oases, linked by an established pastoral route. When the cave was occupied, evidence suggests the diet of the occupants gradually changed over time from one dominated by protein to a more balanced mix of protein and vegetation, while their flocks of animals grazed on wild grasses and shrubs instead of fodder. It shows how these humans’ inventiveness gradually changed their diet and way of life.
Read the paper:
Stewart M, Andrieux E, Blinkhorn J, Guagnin M, Fernandes R, Vanwezer N, et al. (2024) First evidence for human occupation of a lava tube in Arabia: The archaeology of Umm Jirsan Cave and its surroundings, northern Saudi Arabia. PLoS ONE 19(4): e0299292. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299292
Dogs Doing Good Things
Rocket and I are walking every day for the RSPCA Million Paws Walk to raise funds for dogs in need! Thanks to Rocky’s enthusiasm we’ve been raising funds and having a lot of fun with surprise playdates and walking adventures. It’s rewarding to know how many people love animals and support the work of the RSPCA. Rocky’s super dog frens have been risking the biscuit and getting their hoos to donate. It’s good to know we’re making a difference - one dog at a time – all thanks to Team Rocky’s supporters. Learn more here: https://www.millionpawswalk.com.au/fundraisers/teamrocky
Soundscape Adventure
The general noise from the mayhem of everyday life can be distracting. It’s easy for your senses to gradually turn oblivious to the activity of wildlife outside because it can be hard to hear it. Scientists record sounds produced by coral reefs to measure the health and biodiversity of different marine inhabitants. I listen to as many natural soundscapes as I can and here is one that I think you’ll enjoy navigating through. Follow the link:
Catlin Seaview Survey: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/sounds-of-coral-reef.html
Photo by lpittman
On the Eco Front
I happened to be at a riverside park the other day where I accidentally spotted a ghost net on the low tide mark along the riverbank. I visually recorded the length of the net, approximately 20 to 30 metres long and reported my sighting to the QLD Boating and Fisheries Patrol. The Department of Agriculture & Fisheries returned my call, saying they would follow up on my finding, so hopefully they have been able to remove it.
Photo by Gabrielle Ahern
Ghost nets cause a lot of damage to wildlife who get caught up and die a painful death, while boat engines can also get snagged creating a potentially life-threatening problem for people out on the water. If you happen to spot one, contact your areas local authority and report its location. I couldn’t remove the net myself owing to its size and weight plus it was embedded into the sandy substrate. It must have been there for some time because of the algae growing over it, making it difficult for passersby to spot.
Rocky’s Walk Repawt
Hi pals, for several weeks I have been walking to suppawt the RSPCA Million Paws Walk! Thanks to my Super Dog frens, I have raised $706 for the RSPCA so far – that’s pawsome! THE RSPCA team said I am now a Super Mutt! Thank you to all my lovely frens for supporting Team Rocky and donating to help dogs in need! I couldn’t do this without you pals! If you want to be a Superhero too, please follow this link – https://www.millionpawswalk.com.au/fundraisers/teamrocky
Don’t pawget, if you want your shenanigans or snack centric conversations featured here, I’m contaktibel through my hooman. You can find my floofy tail on Instagram, Facebook, Mastodon, Tik Tok and Twitter via @saltywavedog🐶
End Point
We’ve reached the endpoint! Thank you for following my stories! We’ll be back in May.
Gabrielle Ahern, Visual Storyteller
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