Impacts of Artificial Light On Our Ecosystem · Impacts of Artificial Light On Our Ecosystem Joe Frannea - Volunteer Southern Arizona Chapter of the International DarkSky Association
43
Impacts of Artificial Light On Our Ecosystem Joe Frannea - Volunteer Southern Arizona Chapter of the International DarkSky Association Oct 2016
Southern Arizona Chapter of the International DarkSky Association
Oct 2016
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Impacts of Artificial Light On Our Ecosystem This power point presentation may be used and readily copied for educational purposes if it is not altered. It has some presenter notes for each slide and has my narrated voice for each slide which can be turned off.
International DarkSkies Association
“IDA”Educators - Activists
Advocate Natural Skies
IDA Founded 1988In Tucson - 501(C)(3) Corporation
Dr. David L. Crawford Dr. Tim Hunter
Director/CEO1,000’s Active Members in 70 Countries
Currently 58 Chapters located in 16 Countries
Board/Advisor
28Years
Simply Put . . . .• All Outdoor Light Downward• Right Amount – Off/On/Off
Our Lack ofUnderstanding about
Artificial Light at Night
• We Are Human Centric - Why• Scientific Information – More/More• Lacking Research – Takes $• Empirical Information – After Fact
Presenter
Presentation Notes
When you talk about Light Pollution and its consequences, most people immediately think about astronomy. Those effects are obvious. When you mention effects on wildlife, plant life and human health the reaction is usually “your kidding”. There has been some research in these areas but there is so much more to learn. We tend to always thing about what humans need regarding lighting and not much attention to critters that function at night. We are documenting More Scientific facts but need more reaserch which takes money so we are ofent just content with collecting Empirical information which is a great start. It is interesting to note that our national parks now define the skies to be a natural resource and it is therefore illegal to damage them with light pollution just like it is illegal to deface a rock structure in the parks.
The World is Very Differentat Night
• All living things have biological cycles (circadian clock/rhythms, free run at 21-27 hrs)
• More animals are nocturnal than diurnal• Natural darkness as important as daytime• Artificial Lights - only past 125+ years
George Westinghouse Electricity Transmission
Electric Light Bulb Thomas Edison 1880
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Most people don’t think about how different the world is, or used to be night After all, it has only been in the last 100 years that we have had artificial lighting readily available for our use and mis-use Few have probably ever considered the effect of outdoor lights on wildlife, the majority of whom are active at night. Or what about the importance of having dark nights to keep biological clocks in sync for all living things
This composite satellite image shows the world at night - clearly showing how civilizations are lighting up the night making it more like daytime. This is light shining upwards that is a total waste of energy and harmful to the environment and all things living on earth. It has been estimated that this wasted light costs about $10 million in the US alone each night.
The USA at Night
More Like Daytime $2B/Yr.Wasted!
Presenter
Presentation Notes
This composite satellite image shows the USA at night - clearly showing how civilizations are lighting up the night making it more like daytime. This is light shining upwards that is a total waste of energy and harmful to the environment and all things living on earth. It has been estimated that this wasted light costs about $10 million in the US alone each night.
AstronomyMore Astronomers &
Scopes in Southern AZ
$250MMMT – Mt. Hopkins
Optics & AstronomyBusiness AZ/Year
Presenter
Presentation Notes
It is interesting to note that our national parks now define the skies to be a natural resource and it is therefore illegal to damage them with light pollution just like it is illegal to deface a rock structure in the parks.
Land & Water Plants• All Living Things have Biological Clocks• They Need Natural Dark/Light Cycles• Coral, Plankton others are Very Sensitive- Symbiotic Relationships – Everywhere -
Lots of Environmental Signals/Factors
Insects – Larger Herbivores – Pathogens
Temperature – Water – Nutrients – Stress
and
LIGHT
For Normal Growth and DevelopmentPlants Need:
Quality Light (wavelength or color)
Right Intensity (brightness)
Light Duration over a 24 Hours (photoperiod)
Trees:Daytime: Leaf Growth, Photosynthesis
Nighttime: Strengthen Fiber
Light at Night. . .Larger in size, bigger leaves, more poresMore Susceptible to air pollution & water
stress
Amount of Light RequiredVaries by Plant
One study showed a one second light at night caused the plant not to bloom
Some growers or florists control the Light to delay of force blooms
Wildlife• When to mate, migrate, hibernate• Food sources for migration (early blooms)• What season is it, natural environment• Interactions, other animals, plants• Avoid lit areas, taking their habitat• Our pleasures seem to trump their habitat
Light Pollution is a big problem and has very detrimental effects on astronomy. Outdoor lights can be good, fully shielded lights but still have significant effects on our environment which we will cover in this presentation
MammalsArtificial Lights
• Disruption of Foraging• Increased Predation Risk• Disruption of Biological Rhythm• Increased Mortality on Roads • React Naturally to Full Moon Light• Most Nocturnal have few retinal cones
(can be blinded by sudden bright lights)
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Many animals in our Sonoran Desert are active at night like this Bobcat They need their dark nights in their habitat and surrounding areas for hunting, mating, keeping their biological clocks in sync., and protecting themselves from others that may be hunting them. There eyes are designed to function with minimal light and coming into bright lights can put them at risk.
Bats• Are important night time pollinators• Lights effect the local distribution of bats
due to insects around the lights• Lights can induce aggressive bat behavior
to other bats and drive them out• Defecate seeds as they fly “seed rain”
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Many of our cactus like the Saguaro are night bloomers and need night time pollinators, one of which is the bat. Bats feed on insects and need to find them in the wild, not flying around an outdoor light. Light is like a drug to many insects and animals. It can have a significant impact on their behavior and their interaction with other animals.
Migrating Birds
• Hundreds of species migrate at night• Artificial light and fires attract birds and they
can’t seem to break away (WTC beacons)
• Sky Glow can cause disorientation• Lit buildings, towers, signs can cause fatal
collisions, fog/clouds causes them to fly lower• Populations are declining throughout the
world, lights are one major factor
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Bird migration is a significant and important event. Birds are programmed to use natural instincts and naturally occurring events like moon light and stars to navigate and find their way to their seasonal homes. The introduction of artificial light into their habitat and skyways has caused serious problems for successful migration and mating. Lit buildings and towers and other obstacles cause serious fatal crashes killing millions of birds each year.
Bird NavigationWhere are my Constellations?
193 birds every 60 seconds
:
FLAP.org
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The Canadian based Fatal Light Awareness Program, know as FLAP, studies and documents birds that crash into building during migration periods. These dead birds shown are one nights collisions with high rises in downtown Toronto. Visit their website, FLAP.org, for more information.
Marine Birds
• Light sources include lighthouses, oil & gas platform flares and fishing boats
• Night lights effect reproduction, migration, foraging and behaviors
• Many nocturnal seabirds are attracted to artificial light
• Some diurnal sea gulls now hunt at night
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Marine birds have to contend with man made flares, light houses, and lit up fishing boats. Light attracts many of them, interfering with their normal patterns. Some birds are actually nocturnal and are being driven from their native habitats due to night time lights.
If you are a Bird. . . what might this look like?
Food for Thought. . .
Water - Concentrating Solar Installation – up to 750 deg F
Sea Turtles
• Mortality due to artificial lighting is well documented for hatchlings - Florida
• Hatchling must find sea, not condos• Attracted to shorter wavelengths (violet/green)
• Strict lighting regulations adopted - Education!• Females, 35+ Yrs. first clutch where they born• Lit areas vs. nesting areas documented (satellites)
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Mature female sea turtles (some are 80+ years old) return to their birth places in the sand to lay their eggs. When the hatchlings come to the surface they must return to the water immediately to avoid being eaten or baking in the hot sun. They instinctively know how to find the water using the horizon or other means. There are well documented studies in Florida regarding artificial light from condos confusing the hatchlings and sometimes making it impossible for them to find the sea. Florida has adopted strict outdoor lighting standards to help alleviate this situation.
Hatchling Tracks in Sand
Presenter
Presentation Notes
These tacks in the sand show hatchlings heading straight to the sea to begin their new life.
Frogs & Toads• Experiencing global decline (lights may be a factor)
• Radically more light into their habitats• Less mobile than other animals• Have complex life cycles• Lights make them less selective about
picking mates• Are Prey and Predators of other nocturnal
animals, lights can alter this
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Frogs and toads and some snakes are in decline worldwide. Lights at night are undoubtably a factor but no one seems to know how big a factor. The frogs complex life cycles have to deal with a changed habitat in many areas due to artificial lights. Some studies have indicated they are less selective about picking mates due to the lights.
Fish• Coastal zones, lakes, streams, ponds and
rivers all impacted by lights – over half world population lives within 50 miles
• Light (attracts), temperature and structures greatly effect aquatic organisms
• Behaviors - Feeding, Schooling, Migration, Spawning, Predation depend on specific light intensities
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Studies have documented some of the effects on our ever so important fish in streams, lakes, rivers, and oceans. Light and temperature changes are very important factors in their breeding, migration, feeding, schooling and other behaviors that are important to their survival. Over half of the worlds human populations are located within 50 miles of major rivers, lakes and oceans, Outdoor lights are changing the fish habitat forever.
Insects• Critically Important Pollinators
especially moths for night bloomers • Flight-to-Light Behavior – can’t navigate
around lights• “Vacuum Cleaner” Effect – sucked out of
habitat, depletes local populations• Some won’t mate in lighted conditions• Use yellow bulbs to minimize attraction
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The moth is another very important night pollinator and is being sucked out of its habitat by night lights. Light is a drug to the moth which is often fatal. The light is an attractant as it flies around and around the lamp until it is exhausted and usually dies. Use yellow lamps where possible to help minimize this problem.
Fireflies
• Self-generated chemical luminescence for sexual communication
• External light can wash out the glow, delay mating, reduce number of eggs (7 eggs/day)
• Glowworms attract males up to 150 feet away using bioluminescent flashes
• Hold a special place in human cultures
Serious Consequences
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Fireflies are a unique insect that uses light to communicate. With artificial light being added to their environment, their mating habits can be significantly altered yielding less egg production. The glowworm also uses bioluminescent flashes to communicate and attract mates.
If you are an insect who lays eggs at night. . .
What might this look like?
Food for Thought. . .
Water sheen
One Reason to Keep Outdoor Lights OFF – Especially ALL Night
Lights attract bugs(Including kissing bugs)
Bugs attract lizards +
Lizards attract snakes
“Don’t Create YourOwn Ecosystem”
Human Health• EPA
Light Pollution is a Pollutant
• AMA (2012)Excessive Nighttime Lighting Disrupts Essential Processes and can Create Potentially Harmful
Health Effects and Hazardous Situations.Can Be a Carcinogen –Shift Workers
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Light Pollution is a big problem and has very detrimental effects on astronomy. Outdoor lights can be good, fully shielded lights but still have significant effects on our environment which we will cover in this presentation
Dark Sleep is Critically Important for Proper Levels Melatonin Production
Presenter
Presentation Notes
A very important subject which deserves an entire presentation is the effect of night time lights on human health. It has been documented that dark sleep conditions are required each night for your body to generate proper levels of Melatonin which has antioxidant properties to fight diseases. Doctors have studied and documented that the growth of breast cancer can be 8 times faster with low levels of melatonin. It will be a great day when we adopt a saying similar to the one we did for smoking, you know “You have the right to smoke but not to blow smoke in my face” . The lighting one would be “You have the right to have lights on your property but not the right to shine them on my property or in the sky”.
Circadian Rythems
“Jet Lag”
TV
Presenter
Presentation Notes
When you talk about Light Pollution and its consequences, most people immediately think about astronomy. Those effects are obvious. When you mention effects on wildlife, plant life and human health the reaction is usually “your kidding”. There has been some research in these areas but there is so much more to learn. We tend to always thing about what humans need regarding lighting and not much attention to critters that function at night. We are documenting More Scientific facts but need more reaserch which takes money so we are ofent just content with collecting Empirical information which is a great start. It is interesting to note that our national parks now define the skies to be a natural resource and it is therefore illegal to damage them with light pollution just like it is illegal to deface a rock structure in the parks.
Physical Effects of LightCircadian Rhythm (since beginning of time)
This Must Be Reset Daily (not exactly 24 hours)The Light – Dark Cycle Resets It
Melatonin Production Produced Only at Night – Dark EnvironmentA Small Amount of Light Stops It Immediately
(especially blue/white light)
Light Exposure Can ElevateHeart Rate, Core Body Temp., effect Cortisol production
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Light Pollution is a big problem and has very detrimental effects on astronomy. Outdoor lights can be good, fully shielded lights but still have significant effects on our environment which we will cover in this presentation
Most Common is Shift-Work Disorder (15M people)
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders(most documented)
• More Sleep Problems• Fatigue• Forgetfulness• Performance Problems• Gastrointestinal Problems• More Accidents and Injuries• Risk of Cardiovascular Disease• Type-2 Diabetes• Some Types Cancer
Cancer Risks2007 – World Health Organization stated:“shift-work that involves circadian disruption is
probably carcinogenic to humans”
Dr. StevensDr. Blask
Several High-Quality Studies (not all)• Female Shift-Workers – 50% Higher Breast Cancer Risk
(also includes female flight attendants – lots of jet lag)• Similar findings for Colorectal Cancer Risk in Women
and for Prostate Cancer in Men• Low levels of Melatonin, cancer can grow 8 times faster
Correlation: Industrialization, more lights, more problems? - lots of research to come -
Safety• Reduce Glare• Light for the Task• Use Motion Sensors
Use Flash Lightsthey still work & are
very inexpensive
SecurityMore Crimes Occur in Daytime vs. Night time
Some People Believe…
TheftVandalism GraffitiDrug DealsProstitution
RobberyRape
Dark YieldsLess:
Uniform Light Yields Less:
No Statistical Evidence to Support More or Less Light Reduce CrimeSmall Studies DO Not Translate to Larger Areas – Measures are Difficult
IDA 2015 Annual Meeting – 2 DaysFirst Time – 24 Ecology Presentations - No Astronomy
• Magical World of Fireflies – Brilliant Darkness Film
• Impacts to Mammals – Tampa, FL, Australia, UCLA
• Impacts to Birds – Birdsafe Campaign, FCC, ASU City Birds
• Impacts to Reptiles – Sea Turtle Hatchlings
• Impacts to Amphibians – Frogs, Salamanders, others
• Impacts to Fishes – Migrating Salmon stopped in their tracks
• Impacts to Invertebrates – Insects 97% of all animal species
• National Parks Outdoor Lighting Retrofits
“There is Hope!”
It’s Easy toHELP. . .
Just ShareYour
KnowledgeJoe Frannea
Web: sa-ida.org
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Light Pollution is a big problem and has very detrimental effects on astronomy. Outdoor lights can be good, fully shielded lights but still have significant effects on our environment which we will cover in this presentation
