Also in the February 2007 - Isla Earth Radio Series series
Texas Park Has Bad Air Day
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
Big Bend National Park has some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States. It's in the boonies of southwest Texas, yet it has the smoggiest air of any of the parks ...
Restoring a Fragile Marine Ecosystem
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
A study in the journal Nature found that up to 90 percent of the larger specimens of these species have disappeared from the world's oceans.
New Meters Could Help Conserve Energy
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
The EPA says that the average home produces more greenhouse gases than the average car.
Understanding Fish Migration Patterns
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
Tracking whale sharks is a tricky business. But conservationists have come up with a hi-tech solution, an ingenious new device that allows researchers to track fish ...
Citizen Scientists help Protect Amphibians
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
Amphibians have existed for 300 million years. But in recent decades, 168 species are believed to have gone extinct, and almost 2,500 others are disappearing in a hurry.
Merced's new Sustainable Campus
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
Colleges and universities are jumping on the green building bandwagon.
Reduce Home Water Use
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
Americans use a lot of water. In fact, the average American uses more than 100 gallons every day.
Mobile Urban Farms
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
Ken Dunn transforms unused urban land into productive gardens.
Trees Offsetting Vehicle Emissions
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
Filipinos are aiming to improve the quality of the air they breathe by planting trees on the country's roadways.
Creatures in Love
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
To celebrate Valentine's Day, we're going to look at the mating habits of three very different creatures.
Related Pieces
Piece Description
This is a tale of two marsh birds that live on opposite sides of the United States. They belong to the same species, and prefer the same kind of habitat. But while one is plentiful, the other is endangered. They're called clapper rails and they're best known for their rattling call. Here's a sample. Try that one bird callers of America. Clapper rails live in salty wetlands where they eat insects and crustaceans. The endangered western sub-species is found only in California and Mexico. It's all about habitat. Salt marshes cover much of the eastern coastline, while the California and Mexican coasts have more cliffs. And much of the bird's habitat has been lost to development. Nearly 90 percent of California's wetlands are gone, and the clapper rail isn't known to survive in other habitats. Biologists and citizen scientists are working to save the western clapper rail from extinction. They're counting eggs, monitoring movements, and partnering with local universities and zoos to save the birds -- good news for the bird-lovers who enjoy their unique call.
