Biology stuff Flora: Deforestation and Land Use: The pandemic has not given nature a break as often assumed. In many rural areas, particularly in the tropics, there has been increased pressure from land grabbing, deforestation, illegal mining, and wildlife poaching. This rise in deforestation was also seen globally, with a 150% increase in 18 countries in March 2020 compared to the same month in 2019. Conservation Efforts: Conservation efforts were hampered due to lockdowns. Travel restrictions prevented forestry services and conservationists from monitoring forest boundaries and enforcing conservation laws. This led to an 85% reduction in field activities by conservation organizations and impacted the budget and effectiveness of many protected areas. Fauna: Wildlife Responses: Wildlife experienced varied responses to the reduction in human activities. There was less air and noise pollution, leading to benefits like a 39% increase in nesting success for loggerhead turtles in Florida and an 86% reduction in ocean noise in British Columbia. However, there were also negative impacts like increased illegal hunting and fishing, disruption in conservation enforcement, and delays in invasive species control programs. Complex Ecosystem Dynamics: The pandemic created complex ecological dynamics. For example, reduced hunting pressure on snow geese in North America led them to arrive in the Arctic larger and healthier, which could have detrimental effects on other species and the ecosystem. Conservation and Policy Challenges: The pandemic highlighted the need for new conservation strategies and policy reforms. For instance, the increased use of single-use plastics and masks due to the pandemic emphasized the need for better waste management and plastic pollution control. Additionally, some countries reducing environmental safeguards post-pandemic posed a threat to ecosystem sustainability. Pollinators (Bees) Impact on Beekeeping and Pollination: Travel restrictions during the pandemic impacted the beekeeping industry significantly. In countries like the US and China, where there are fewer local bees, beekeepers transport hives long distances for pollination. These restrictions hindered the movement of bees, affected the ability of beekeepers to care for their hives, and reduced the availability of seasonal workers for bee transport. Economic Impact: The value of pollination services to US crop production ranges from $15-20 billion annually. Harvest losses without bees can range from 5-10% for grains to as high as 80% for crops like almonds and cherries. Global Food System: Bees, along with other pollinators, are critical for the global food system, but their populations are declining due to human activities like habitat destruction and pesticide use. The pandemic's travel restrictions potentially saved some bees from road deaths, but they did little to address major issues like habitat loss. In summary, while there were some positive environmental effects due to reduced human activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall impact on flora and fauna was complex and often detrimental. The pandemic highlighted the delicate balance between human activity, conservation efforts, and natural ecosystems, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and robust conservation strategies. A mass of olive ridley sea turtles nesting in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. Local officials said it was the first time there had been a mass nesting during the day in seven years. A sika deer walks past a souvenir store at a temple in Nara, which is now quite empty following the coronavirus public lockdowns. An absence of tourists and residents in public spaces in Mexico led to a leatherback sea turtle laying its eggs on the beach in front of a luxury hotel in Cancún. Regional environment secretary Alfredo Arellano told local media, "On average, we only see one leatherback sea turtle a year and the nesting season starts in May, it was something unusual." The sighting happened after the Mexican government ordered a public lockdown until April 30, 2020. Amazon forest deforestation reached a new all high peak in the COVID 19 pandemic.