{"id":82,"date":"2014-09-03T10:28:07","date_gmt":"2014-09-03T17:28:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/summitrise.com\/?page_id=82"},"modified":"2023-11-13T16:43:44","modified_gmt":"2023-11-13T23:43:44","slug":"wildlife-ecosystems","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/resources\/what-is-light-pollution\/effects\/wildlife-ecosystems\/","title":{"rendered":"Light pollution harms wildlife and ecosystems"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\">For billions of years, all life has relied on Earth\u2019s predictable rhythm of day and night. It\u2019s encoded in the DNA of all plants and animals. Humans have radically disrupted this cycle by lighting up the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plants and animals depend on Earth\u2019s daily cycle of light and dark to govern life-sustaining behaviors such as reproduction, nourishment, sleep, and protection from predators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scientific evidence suggests that artificial light at night has negative and deadly effects on many creatures, including amphibians, birds, mammals, insects, and plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What You Can Do Presents - &quot;Help Protect Wildlife&quot;\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ooLYWwA43SE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Artificial lights disrupt the world\u2019s ecosystems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Nocturnal animals sleep during the day and are active at night. Light pollution radically alters their nighttime environment by turning night into day. According to research scientist Christopher Kyba, for nocturnal animals \u201cthe introduction of artificial light probably represents the most drastic change human beings have made to their environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPredators use light to hunt, and prey species use darkness as cover,\u201d Kyba explains. \u201cNear cities, cloudy skies are now hundreds or even thousands of times brighter than they were 200 years ago. We are only beginning to learn what a drastic effect this has had on nocturnal ecology.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Glare from artificial lights can also impact wetland habitats that are home to amphibians such as frogs and toads, whose nighttime croaking is part of the breeding ritual. Artificial lights disrupt this nocturnal activity, interfering with reproduction and reducing populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-text-align-left\"><blockquote><p>\u201cWhen we add light to the environment, that has the potential to disrupt habitat, just like running a bulldozer over the landscape can.\u201d<\/p><cite>\u2013 Chad Moore, formerly of the U.S. National Park Service<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"sea-turtles\" class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Artificial lights can lead baby sea turtles to their demise<\/h2>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"824\" height=\"549\" src=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2020\/03\/light-pollution-sea-turtles-web-824x549-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13485\" srcset=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2020\/03\/light-pollution-sea-turtles-web-824x549-1.jpg 824w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2020\/03\/light-pollution-sea-turtles-web-824x549-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2020\/03\/light-pollution-sea-turtles-web-824x549-1-480x320.jpg 480w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2020\/03\/light-pollution-sea-turtles-web-824x549-1-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2020\/03\/light-pollution-sea-turtles-web-824x549-1-720x480.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 824px) 100vw, 824px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption pt-4 mx-5 md:mx-0 !mb-0 !mt-0\">A hatchling loggerhead sea turtle turns inland following human-made lights instead of seaward toward safety. (Photo credit: Blair Witherington)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Guardians of the Night: Reducing Light Pollution on Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/R5ID9MU1bCQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sea turtles live in the ocean but hatch at night on the beach. Hatchlings find the sea by detecting the bright horizon over the ocean. Artificial lights draw them away from the ocean. In Florida alone, millions of hatchlings die this way every year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"birds\" class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Artificial lights have devastating effects on many bird species<\/h2>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Migrating_geese_fullmoon_Michael_Menefee.jpg\" alt=\"Migrating geese\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lights Out Texas_Project Overview\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/732515232?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Birds that migrate or hunt at night navigate by moonlight and starlight. Artificial light can cause them to wander off course and toward the dangerous nighttime landscapes of cities. Every year millions of birds die colliding with needlessly illuminated buildings and towers. Migratory birds depend on cues from properly timed seasonal schedules. Artificial lights can cause them to migrate too early or too late and miss ideal climate conditions for nesting, foraging, and other behaviors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"insects\" class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ecosystems: Everything is connected<\/h3>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2021\/08\/darksky_65426169_Full-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption pt-4 mx-5 md:mx-0 !mb-0 !mt-0\">In addition to their ecological role, fireflies are a source of wonder and delight for children and adults.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Many insects are drawn to light, but artificial lights can create a fatal attraction. Declining insect populations negatively impact all species that rely on insects for food or pollination. Some predators exploit this attraction to their advantage, affecting food webs in unanticipated ways.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"cta\" class=\"wp-block-group cta-boxed-callout is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get involved<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learn more about how light pollution impacts wildlife and ecosystems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Explore the Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) Database to find the latest scientific literature on how light pollution affects wildlife. There is no login required. Research on specific topics can be found by entering a key word (such as <em>birds<\/em>, <em>turtles<\/em>, or <em>migration<\/em>) into the search window in the upper right. Search results will then appear in the main part of the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zotero.org\/groups\/2913367\/alan_db\/library \">Visit the ALAN Database<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"cta\" class=\"wp-block-group boxed-callout is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get involved<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Protect the natural nighttime environment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Join DarkSky\u2019s global network of advocates working to protect the night from light pollution! The process is simple: Take the DarkSky 101 training and you will be invited to join DarkSky\u2019s global communication platform, get access to exclusive advocate resources, and be invited to join additional monthly advocate training on various aspects of light pollution and dark sky conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/who-we-are\/advocates\/\">Become an Advocate<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For billions of years, all life has relied on Earth\u2019s predictable rhythm of day and night. It\u2019s encoded in the DNA of all plants and animals. Humans have radically disrupted this cycle by lighting up the night. Plants and animals depend on Earth\u2019s daily cycle of light and dark to govern life-sustaining behaviors such as &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":23243,"parent":23264,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[619,620,602,618],"tags":[640,639,261,363,260,259,11,641,307,642,30],"advocacy_type":[],"events_terms":[],"locations_terms":[],"admin_issue":[],"class_list":["post-82","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-causes-of-light-pollution","category-effects-of-light-pollution","category-resources","category-what-is-light-pollution","tag-amphibians","tag-animals","tag-birds","tag-endangered-species","tag-fish","tag-insects","tag-light-pollution","tag-mammals","tag-migratory-birds","tag-plants","tag-sea-turtles"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/82","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/82\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29747,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/82\/revisions\/29747"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23264"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82"},{"taxonomy":"advocacy_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/advocacy_type?post=82"},{"taxonomy":"events_terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/events_terms?post=82"},{"taxonomy":"locations_terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/locations_terms?post=82"},{"taxonomy":"admin_issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/admin_issue?post=82"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}