Toxic algae

How lizards endure storms?:

Tropical lizards have a stick-to-itiveness in high wind that puts TV weather reporters to shame. Now we know why, thanks in part to a high-powered leaf blower.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria put a group of little tree-hugging lizards to the test, and scientists were perfectly positioned to see which reptiles survived and why. Then, Harvard researchers cranked up the leaf blower to observe just how 47 of the Caribbean critters held onto a wooden rod.

Under tropical storm-force winds, the lizards lounged. As the wind speed cranked up, they still held on, although it got tougher. Even at 102 mph (164 kph), the lizards grasped the pole with two clingy front feet while their tails and back legs flapped in the wind like a flag.

“All the lizard needs is an inside out umbrella and the image would be perfect,” study lead author Colin Donihue said.

But there’s only so much a little lizard can take. At 108 mph (174 kph), it was flying lizard time.

“This study provides exciting insight into the effects of extreme natural events,” said Pennsylvania State University biologist Tracy Langkilde, who wasn’t part of the study. (AP)

hit Baltic coast:

Polish health authorities have said recently they had closed scores of beaches along the country’s Baltic Sea coast due to a massive toxic algae bloom triggered by a heat wave.

“Swimming is prohibited on eight beaches along the open sea and about twenty beaches in Gdansk Bay because of the appearance ... of cyanobacteria,” Tomasz Augustyniak, health inspector for the northing Gdansk province, told AFP referring to blue-green algae.

“The algae is toxic and poses a health risk,” he said, adding that the week-old bloom was “particularly intense” due to a long stretch of hot weather.

Polish television this week broadcast aerial footage showing a green carpet of algae covering the sea.

Run-off containing nitrates and phosphates from farm fertilisers and sewage have seeped into the Baltic, triggering large algal blooms in recent years, Augustyniak said. (AFP)

‘Clamp down on illegal timber’:

Beijing must better scrutinise imports of illegally logged timber from countries such as Papua New Guinea where deforestation is devastating ecosystems and livelihoods, Global Witness said Monday.