Easy Bird feeding observation closeup

 Unfortunately, shaded lenses are necessary for most birds to be comfortable.  Both Northern and Carolina chickadees can be conditioned to feed from your hand if you remain still, but eye movement so close would be a concern for these species too.

Vultures finding Gas Pipeline leaks

 We first learned about this from a graduate student and were skeptical. However, quick research revealed that Turkey Vultures were known to be useful for finding pipeline gas leaks, documented back to the 1930's when mercaptan was first added to natural gas.

How Does Climate Change Affect Tick Habitat and the Spread of Lyme Disease in Georgia?

 How Does Climate Change Affect Tick Habitat and the Spread of Lyme Disease in Georgia?

By: Nidhi Gadekar, January 22, 2025

Introduction

As global temperatures rise due to climate change, one of the issues the world faces is the spread of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). It’s the most vector-borne disease in the United States, with approximately 476,000 Americans diagnosed and treated annually, according to the CDC.  It is most commonly found in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest regions in the U.S., but Lyme disease is even greater in central and eastern European countries.

(Source: Blacklegged Tick Surveillance)

While Lyme disease is traditionally common in cooler regions like the Northeastern U.S., it is becoming a growing concern for Southern States such as Georgia. This is particularly alarming because Lyme disease can cause debilitating long-term complications if not treated early. Understanding how climate change influences the spread of Lyme disease in traditionally warmer climates is essential for public health preparedness and prevention. In this post, we’re advocating for the exploration of how climate change is expanding tick habitats, tick prevalence, and population density, in Georgia and the role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in understanding and managing the potential for increased Lyme disease risk. 

Overview of Lyme disease

Lyme disease can be characterized by two stages: 

• In the early stage (3-30 days post-bite), the patient has symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, and an erythema migrans rash, which has a bull's-eye appearance.