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The Living Rainforest
The Living Rainforest is an indoor greenhouse tropical rainforest located in Hampstead Norreys in Berkshire, England. It is an ecological centre, educational centre and visitor attraction consisting of three glasshouses, operated and run by the Trust for Sustainable Living. The glasshouses are named Amazonica, Lowlands and Small Islands respectively. The Living Rainforest has been accredited by the Council for Learning Outside of the Classroom and awarded the LOtC Quality Badge. Each year around 25,000 children visit the Living Rainforest as part of their school's curriculum. It is open 7-days a week from 09:30 to 16:00. History The site was once an orchid nursery called Wyld Court Orchids who were well known for their collection of rare and beautiful natural orchid species, especially Cymbidiums and Lycastes. Wyld Court Orchids received considerable recognition from the R.H.S. including a distinction of Grand Champion Hybrid and Best in Show for a home-raised seedling at the B ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
British And Irish Association Of Zoos And Aquariums
The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) (formerly the Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland) is a registered charity and the professional body representing over 100 zoos and aquariums in Britain and Ireland. BIAZA members must comply with BIAZA codes of practice, as well as undertaking significant work in the field of animal welfare, conservation, education and research. Key objectives Conservation BIAZA members support over 700 field conservation projects contributing over £11 million per year. Members supply skills, staff and equipment for wildlife conservation, and essential materials for education and awareness programmes in developing countries. They also play an important role in conservation awareness-raising in the UK, support conservation campaigns and facilitate career development of young conservationists. Education More than 25 million people visit BIAZA collections every year including 1.3 million children on or ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Small Island Developing States
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a group of developing countries that are small island countries which tend to share similar sustainable development challenges. These include small but growing populations, limited resources, remoteness, susceptibility to natural disasters, vulnerability to external shocks, excessive dependence on international trade, and fragile environments. Their growth and development is also held back by high communication, energy and transportation costs, irregular international transport volumes, disproportionately expensive public administration and infrastructure due to their small size, and little to no opportunity to create economies of scale. They consist of some of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. The SIDS were first recognized as a distinct group of developing countries at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992. The Barbados Programme of Action was produced in 1994 to assist the SIDS in the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fischer's Turaco
Fischer's turaco (''Tauraco fischeri'') is a species of bird in the family Musophagidae. It is found in Coastal East Africa, including Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, and arable land. It is threatened by habitat loss and trapping for the wildlife trade. Name The common name and scientific name of this bird commemorate the German explorer Gustav Fischer (explorer), Gustav Fischer. This bird is also known as East African red-crested lourie. Description Measurements: * Length: 16 in (40 cm) * Weight: Males 8.11-9.49 oz (230-269 g); females 8.01-9.98 oz (227-283 g) These green bodied turacos have a white-tipped reddish crest, a black belly, and red primaries. They also feature green-blue wings and a dark blue-green tail. The red skin around their eyes is margined in front by a white line that extends to its bright red bill, and below by a small black patch a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Emerald Tree Boa
The emerald tree boa (''Corallus caninus'')Mehrtens JM. 1987. ''Living Snakes of the World in Color''. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. . is a boa species found in the rainforests of South America. Since 2009 the species ''Corallus batesii'' has been distinguished from the emerald tree boa. Like all other boas, it is not venomous. Description Adults grow to about 6 feet (1.8 m) in length. They have highly developed front teeth that are likely proportionately larger than those of any other non-venomous snake.Stidworthy J. 1974. ''Snakes of the World''. Grosset & Dunlap Inc. 160 pp. . The color pattern typically consists of an emerald green ground color with a white irregular interrupted zigzag stripe or so-called 'lightning bolts' down the back and a yellow belly. The bright coloration and markings are very distinctive among South American snakes. Juveniles vary in color between various shades of light and dark orange or brick-red before ontogenetic coloration sets in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dwarf Caiman
Cuvier's dwarf caiman (''Paleosuchus palpebrosus'') is a small crocodilian in the Alligatoridae, alligator family from northern and central South America. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Venezuela. It lives in riverine forests, flooded forests near lakes, and near fast-flowing rivers and streams. It can traverse dry land to reach temporary pools and tolerates colder water than other species of caimans. Other common names for this species include the musky caiman, the dwarf caiman, Cuvier's caiman, and the smooth-fronted caiman (the latter name is also used for smooth-fronted caiman, ''P. trigonatus''). It is sometimes kept in captivity as a pet and may be referred to as the wedge-head caiman by the pet trade community. Cuvier's dwarf caiman was first described by the French zoologist Georges Cuvier in 1807 and is one of only two species in the genus ''Paleosuchus'', the other species b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Channel-billed Toucan
The channel-billed toucan (''Ramphastos vitellinus'') is a near-passerine bird in the family Ramphastidae found on the Caribbean island of Trinidad and in tropical South America as far south as southern Brazil and central Bolivia. Taxonomy and systematics Subspecies Three subspecies are recognized: * Yellow-ridged toucan (''R. v. culminatus'') - (Gould, 1833): Originally described as a separate species. Found in upper Amazonia from western Venezuela to northern Bolivia * ''R. v. vitellinus'' - Lichtenstein, 1823: Found in Venezuela, the Guianas, northern Brazil and Trinidad * Ariel toucan (''R. v. ariel'') - Vigors, 1826: Originally described as a separate species. Found in central and eastern Brazil south of the Amazon River These subspecies were previously considered separate species, but all three, along with the citron-throated toucan, will interbreed freely wherever they meet. However, the subspecies ''R. v. ariel'' is closer to ''R. v. culminatus'' than to the nominat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Morelia Spilota
''Morelia spilota'', commonly referred to as the carpet python, is a large snake of the family Pythonidae found in Australia, New Guinea (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea), Bismarck Archipelago, and the northern Solomon Islands. Many subspecies are described; ITIS lists six, the Reptile Database six, and the IUCN eight. Description ''M. spilota'' is a large species of python in the genus, reaching between in length and weighing up to . ''M. s. mcdowelli ''is the largest subspecies, regularly attaining lengths of . '' M. s. variegata'' is the smallest subspecies, typically in length. The average adult length is roughly . However, one 3-year-old captive male ''M. s. mcdowelli'', measured in Ireland, was found to exceed . Males are typically smaller than females; in some regions, females are up to four times heavier. The head is triangular with a conspicuous row of thermoreceptive labial pits. The colouring of ''M. spilota'' is highly variable, ranging from olive to black with whit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Blue Poison Dart Frog
The blue poison dart frog or blue poison arrow frog (''Dendrobates tinctorius "azureus"'') is a poison dart frog found in the forests surrounded by the Sipaliwini Savanna, which is located in southern Suriname (known in Surinamese Dutch and adjacent far northern Brazil. ''D. tinctorius azureus'' is also known by its indigenous Tirio name, ''okopipi''. Its scientific name comes from its azure (blue) color. While frequently considered a valid species in the past, recent authorities treat it as a variant of '' D. tinctorius''. Description ''D. tinctorius "Azureus"'' is a medium-sized frog that weighs about 8 g and grows to 3.0-4.5 cm in length. Females are larger and about half a centimetre longer than males, but males have larger toes. The frog has a typical lifespan of five to seven years in the wild. Its bright blue skin, usually darker around its limbs and stomach, serves as a warning to predators. The glands of poisonous alkaloids located a defence mechanism to pot ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chinese Water Dragon
The Chinese water dragon (''Physignathus cocincinus'') is a species of agamid lizard native to China and mainland Southeast Asia. It is also known as the Asian water dragon, Thai water dragon, and green water dragon. The genus name is Greek for "inflated jaw". Description Chinese water dragons can grow up to 36" (0.9m) in total length, including tail, and can live from 10 to 15 years. Coloration ranges from dark to light green, or sometimes purple with an orange stomach. Diagonal stripes of green or turquoise are found on the body, while the tail is banded from the middle to the end with green and white. Their undersides range from white, off white, very pale green, or pale yellow. But their throats are considered to be more attractive, which can be quite colorful (blue and purple, or peach), some with a single color, some with stripes. Adult males have larger, more triangular heads than females, and develop larger crests on the head, neck and tail, and are larger in general. T ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Drawdown (climate)
Climate drawdown refers to the future point in time when levels of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. Drawdown is a milestone in reversing climate change and eventually reducing global average temperatures. ''Project Drawdown'' refers to the nonprofit organization with the mission to help the world reach drawdown and stop catastrophic climate change quickly, safely, and equitably. In 2017, a publication titled "''Drawdown"'' became a ''New York Times'' bestseller, where it highlighted and described different solutions and efforts available to help reach this goal. Project Drawdown Project Drawdown is a climate change mitigation project initiated by Paul Hawken and climate activist Amanda Joy Ravenhill. The main principles of the project are to: # Reduce sources by bringing emissions to zero and stopping pollution. # Support sinks and uplift nature's carbon cycle. # Improve society by fostering equality for all. Pro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Azara's Agouti
Azara's agouti (''Dasyprocta azarae'') is an agouti species from the family Dasyproctidae. Found in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, it is named after Spanish naturalist Félix de Azara Félix Manuel de Azara y Perera (18 May 1746 – 20 October 1821) was a Spanish military officer, naturalist, and engineer. Life Félix de Azara was born on 18 May 1746 in Barbunales, Aragon. He joined the army and attended a Spanish military .... The population is unknown and may have gone locally extinct in some areas due to hunting; it is listed as vulnerable in Argentina. Behaviour Despite being active during the day, Azara's agoutis are quite difficult to study, as they are naturally extremely shy and will flee and hide when humans approach. Their shyness may be related to their solitary lifestyles, but may be because they are heavily preyed upon by many carnivorous species, including humans. However, if bred in captivity, they can become trusting animals. Azara's agoutis will let out ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Littoral Zone
The littoral zone or nearshore is the part of a sea, lake, or river that is close to the shore. In coastal ecology, the littoral zone includes the intertidal zone extending from the high water mark (which is rarely inundated), to coastal areas that are permanently submerged — known as the ''foreshore'' — and the terms are often used interchangeably. However, the geographical meaning of ''littoral zone'' extends well beyond the intertidal zone to include all neritic waters within the bounds of continental shelves. Etymology The word ''littoral'' may be used both as a noun and as an adjective. It derives from the Latin noun ''litus, litoris'', meaning "shore". (The doubled ''t'' is a late-medieval innovation, and the word is sometimes seen in the more classical-looking spelling ''litoral''.) Description The term has no single definition. What is regarded as the full extent of the littoral zone, and the way the littoral zone is divided into subregions, varies in different c ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
