7 ways nature is thriving in lockdown

7 ways nature is thriving in lockdown

The current pandemic is having a devastating impact around the world, but there are some bright spots

Human impact on wildlife is almost certainly responsible for the spread of Covid-19, scientists say. The virus is believed to have originated in bats, with other wild animals such as pangolins also likely playing a role in transmission to humans.

Humanity's relentless incursion into natural areas that should be off-limits is putting the world at increased risk of new diseases, Royal Society scientists say.

In a perfect world, wild animals like bats and pangolins would never come into contact with humans. However, due to hunting, trade and loss of habitat, the natural boundaries between humans and animals have become blurred.

On the positive side, road traffic has fallen during the lockdown, fossil fuel emissions have fallen and air pollution has plummeted - all giving nature much-needed breathing space.

Bannafarsai_Stock/ShutterstockThe boundaries between humans and animals are blurring

Another potential benefit is that the pandemic will prove to be a turning point in curbing the global wildlife trade and hopefully lead to a broader ban on live wildlife markets, illegal trade and poaching.

It's especially calming to step back and observe how elements of nature thrive in this slower, quieter world.

1. The Himalayas reappear as smog disappears in India

Residents of Jalandhar in the northern Indian state of Punjab are cherishing a generation's first glimpse of the Indian Himalayas, the Times reports. 1.3 billion people in India are currently in lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

This was the view from our rooftop home in Punjab, India. For the first time in almost 30 years, the Himalayas could be clearly seen due to India's cleanup of air pollution. Simply incredible! 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/WmWZYQ68lC

— Manjit K Kang #StayHomeSaveLives (@KangManjit) April 3, 2020

The decline in traffic and congestion has led to a decline in the country's notorious air pollution. For over 30 years, the mountains have been shrouded in the smog that has buried the city.

Local residents have posted images of the mountain range about 200km away on social media, with some seeing the landscape for the first time in their lives.

2. Moles spotted above ground hunting for worms

Moles were among the first animals in the UK to enjoy new freedoms when humans lost theirs. They were seen climbing over the ground looking for worms in the early days of the lockdown. As footpaths, recreational areas and nature reserves experienced a significant decline in visitors, moles were quickly encouraged.

Day 3 of Social Distancing: I was walking around the @uniofeastanglia campus and stumbled upon this mole looking for food above ground! Very cool to witness. pic.twitter.com/FlcYy0C9pH

— Ryan Brock (@RBrock94) March 21, 2020

It's not just moles that enjoy the deserted landscapes; There are stories of oystercatchers nesting on deserted beaches and an increase in animals such as sparrowhawks, stoats and deer enjoying the solitude of once-popular paths.

3. Venice's canals recover as tourism slows

With cruise ships gone and souvenir stalls closed, the lockdown has transformed the iconic Italian city of Venice. The normally murky canal water has cleared, revealing the sandy bottom of the Venetian Lagoon with schools of fish, crabs and plants.

Additionally, cormorants have returned to dive for fish they can now see, and ducks have nested in deserted spots. The city's hundreds of canals are usually clogged with speeding motorboat taxis, vaporetti water buses and tourist gondolas.

The ancient city transformed virtually overnight when it went into lockdown in early March, reports The Independent.

4. Lockdown encourages roadside wildflowers

Across the UK, non-essential services such as grass verge cutting and roadside parks have been suspended so that councils can redeploy ground staff to more essential services.

Alagz/ShutterstockWildflowers thrive when roadsides are left uncut

Trevor Dines, from the charity Plantlife, told BBC News: "We have seen an increase in members of the public complaining about their councils cutting the daisies. These types of comments used to be outweighed by people complaining about untidy grass verges, but it seems the balance has shifted."

The charity has now launched a campaign calling for cutting programs to be reduced from four cuts per year to two to give roadside flowers a chance to thrive, which in turn would help counter declining bee populations.

5. Emboldened wild animals venture into the deserted cities of the world

Cougars in Santiago in Chile, wild turkeys in California in the United States, deer wandering the streets and subway stations of Nara in Japan, and raccoons feasting on the empty beaches of San Felipe in Panama are just a few of the reports of creatures finding their way into urban environments they would normally avoid.

While people around the world have been forced to retreat indoors, animals have invaded our urban areas. The pandemic offers a global experiment in how animal behavior might change in the absence of humans.

6. The shutdown allows pet owners “quality time” with animals

Animal keepers at Woodside Wildlife Park in the UK say they are enjoying spending more “quality time” with their animals during the pandemic. The park has been closed to visitors since the government introduced a lockdown.

Staff continue to work during the lockdown, caring for the park's dozens of animals, including otters, red pandas, wolves, penguins and crocodiles.

'[It] is just nice to be able to spend a little more time with the animals,' says zookeeper Alex Ward.

7. Native mammals easier to spot

As Britain entered the fourth week of lockdown, traditionally shy and reclusive native mammals have gained confidence, venturing into areas and at times of day they would normally avoid.

With fewer people in urban environments and much less traffic on the country's roads, animals such as foxes, badgers and hedgehogs have been spotted more regularly across the UK.

Underland takes readers on a journey into the worlds beneath our feet. From the icy blue depths of Greenland's glaciers to the subterranean networks through which trees communicate with each other, from Bronze Age burial chambers to the rock art of remote Arctic sea caves, this is a deep journey into the planet's past and future.

Main image: Mark Bridger/Shutterstock

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