Amphibians like frogs and salamanders face mounting threats around the world, including habitat loss, climate change, deadly fungus and road mortality.
Roads pose an immediate danger by cutting amphibians off from crucial migration corridors and putting them in the path of vehicles, which kill millions of animals annually.
Now, a first-of-its kind study led by researchers from University of Vermont (UVM) shows that wildlife underpasses can reduce amphibian deaths by more than 80 percent while helping to preserve ecosystems.
Over a decade of research by scientists and citizens from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, the local community and University of Vermont assessed the effectiveness of a pair of wildlife underpass tunnels installed under a road located in Monkton, Vermont, a press release from UVM said.
A frog attempts to cross a road in Monkton, Vermont. Joshua Brown / University of Vermont
The two underpasses led to an incredible 80.2 percent fewer amphibian deaths.
“It was surprising. I knew that underpasses would work, but I didn’t think they would be that effective,” said lead author of the study Matthew Marcelino, an ecologist at UVM. “And when we took climbing amphibians out of the picture — which in our context are primarily spring peeper frogs — we noticed a 94% decrease in mortality in the treatment areas.”
The research team monitored the road mortality of amphibians in the area from 2011 to 2015 before constructing the underpasses and from 2016 to 2022 after construction.
They compared three zones: the first a treatment with underpasses and wing walls; the second a buffer area at and beyond the edge of the wing walls and away from the tunnels; and the third a control area far away from the infrastructure changes.
Standardized surveys were conducted during brief spring migration windows across a dozen species of toads, frogs and salamanders. Initially the team found a total of 5,273 amphibians, including 2,545 peeper frogs — almost 70 percent of which were deceased — and 1,702 spotted salamanders, almost half of which were also dead.
The death rates were significantly lower in treatment and buffer areas, where the animals had been using the tunnels rather than being displaced.
The study is the first to provide long-term evidence of the effectiveness of amphibian-specific wildlife underpass tunnels in the northeastern United States. It highlighted that design details such as wall height and angles, materials and tunnel layout make a difference.
“Amphibians — frogs, toads, and salamanders — play vital roles in ecosystems and are highly sensitive to environmental disruption,” the press release said.
Many amphibians in Vermont and a large portion of the Northeast spend most of their lives in upland forest streams or soils, including long winters underground. They emerge in early spring on temperate, rainy nights to begin their migrations from woods to wetlands, flooded meadows and ponds to breed.
“It’s usually sometime between late March and late April,” explained ecologist Brittany Mosher, senior author of the study and a professor at UVM’s Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources. “Many species will breed in the same ponds. So it’s not just a single species migrating — it’s many, many species. And oftentimes, we see hundreds or thousands making this movement all at the same time.”
Roads frequently stand in the way of amphibians’ journeys from upland forests to aquatic habitats.
“Planners — state and federal transportation planners — often build roads between these steeper forested upland habitats and nice flat aquatic habitats,” Mosher said. “So the roads are placed exactly in the wrong spot if you were an amphibian planner.”
Because they are small and move slowly, amphibians are particularly vulnerable to vehicle collisions.
“Unlike larger mammals that might dart across a road in seconds, frogs and salamanders can take several minutes to cross — and with hundreds migrating at once, mortality rates can be staggering,” the press release said.
The cost of the 0.81-mile stretch of road that the underpasses cover was $342,397 — much lower than that of large overpasses and underpasses designed for mammals, which can run anywhere from $500,000 to almost $100 million each.
The amphibian underpass design features two concrete tunnels that are four feet wide with wing walls that help guide them toward the tunnels and underneath the road.
The Lewis Creek Association used wildlife cameras to count 2,208 amphibians using one underpass in 2016. Other animals also took advantage of the tunnels, including bobcats, porcupines, bears, snakes, birds and racoons.
The researchers emphasize that their findings should be used as a model for policymakers and road planners across the country.
“This study provides strong evidence that wildlife underpasses work,” Marcelino said. “We hope this will encourage transportation departments to include them in future plans, when building or repairing roads.”
Mosher added that the underpasses are not only helpful for amphibians, but demonstrate that communities can work together to protect local wildlife.
“This story began with local community members who were engaged and concerned,” Mosher said. “And it provides a view for how other communities can protect their amphibian populations too.”
The study highlights the crucial role of research, community engagement and investment in targeted infrastructure to support biodiversity.
“Conservation takes commitment,” Marcelino said. “But when we invest in good tools and take the time to do it right, the payoff for ecosystems and wildlife can be enormous. These are beautiful creatures — so beautiful, so ancient.”
The findings of the study, “Assessing the Efficacy of Wildlife Underpasses in Mitigating Amphibian Road Mortality: A Case Study from the Northeastern United States,” were published in the Journal for Nature Conservation.
The post Wildlife Underpasses Can Reduce Amphibian Road Deaths by More Than 80%: Study appeared first on EcoWatch.
https://www.ecowatch.com/wildlife-underpasses-amphibian-road-deaths-prevention.html
When it comes to establishing a “natural” skincare routine there are a few relatively simple swaps you can make: shampoo, skincare, deodorant, makeup and makeup remover — but, there’s one category that most people tend to struggle with and that’s non-toxic and eco-friendly perfume.
In this post, Madeleine of The Wise Consumer dives into what fragrance really is, if we should avoid all perfumed products, and how one goes about selecting an eco-conscious and natural perfume!
What is Fragrance Anyway?
For years I avoided any kind of perfume, eau de toilet, or spray — not because I didn’t love these kinds of products but because I was intentionally trying to avoid anything fragranced. And perfume is, in a word, just that — fragrance.
But what is “fragrance” actually?
As you’re most likely aware, fragrance is used to make things smell better, to mask unwanted odors, or to give something a more pleasant smell. According to the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), “fragrance is a chemical mixture that has a smell or odor…The mixtures that make a fragrance may include natural aromatic raw materials, obtained from plants using distillation, expression, and extraction, or synthetic materials.”
And, fragrance is everywhere!
It’s in our shampoo, our deodorant, candles, cleaning products, laundry detergents, and even in certain menstrual hygiene products. Sometimes, even “unscented” products can contain fragrance. As the FDA explains, this is because the manufacturer may add just enough fragrance to mask the unpleasant smell of other ingredients, without giving the product a noticeable scent. Like, I said, it’s everywhere.
As a whole, the concept of fragrance isn’t bad. In fact, could you imagine how dull life would be without scents? I am the first to admit that I love soaking in a warm eucalyptus or lavender-scented bubble bath. But, as a conscious consumer, I also like to know what ingredients are in my lavender-scented bubble bath, or any cosmetic product I use for that matter.
Unfortunately, when it comes to fragranced products it’s not always clear what chemical mixtures and ingredients go into making these scented products, even “naturally” fragranced products don’t always disclose their ingredients.
Why is the Ingredient “Fragrance” So Opaque?
Generally speaking, any cosmetic product sold to a consumer must display a list of ingredients. But according to the FDA, “under U.S. regulations, fragrance and flavor ingredients can be listed simply as “Fragrance” or “Flavor.”
This is because “fragrance and flavor formulas are complex mixtures of many different natural and synthetic chemical ingredients, and they are the kinds of cosmetic components that are most likely to be ‘trade secrets’”.
In a way, this makes sense. If a company spends hours of research, time, and money formulating the perfect fragrance for their product, they’re not going to want to disclose the list of ingredients that went into making that product.
But, this can be especially problematic for people with skin sensitivities and/or allergies.
If you’re allergic to a certain ingredient being used in the fragranced product but that ingredient isn’t disclosed, then it’s going to be much harder to know which products to avoid.
In these cases, the FDA recommends that you choose products that are fragrance-free, and check the ingredient list carefully.
Easier said than done seeing that, as I mentioned above, even unscented products can contain small amounts of fragrance to mask unpleasant odors!
As Made Safe shares, “without information about what ingredients actually make up a fragrance, it is difficult to understand the true extent to which our health is compromised by fragrance ingredients.”
This can get even more challenging if you’re extremely sensitive to certain fragranced products and their scents. Products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, cleaners, and body splashes make me nauseated and give me headaches. As it turns out I am not alone.
A 2016 study found that approximately 35% of the population studied reported health problems — such as migraine headaches and respiratory difficulties — when exposed to fragranced products.
According to their research, “fragranced consumer products, such as cleaning supplies, air fresheners, and personal care products, are a primary source of indoor air pollutants and personal exposure….even those called green and organic emitted hazardous air pollutants.”
Not to mention that over the years certain fragranced products have been found to contain ingredients such as phthalates, synthetic musks, formaldehyde, and allergens, just to name a few, that have been shown to have negative health impacts, especially on pregnant women.
Are “Natural” Fragrance and Essential Oils Non-Toxic?
Even “natural” extracts, such as essential oils, can trigger allergic reactions and skin sensitivities. In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group, certain essential oils, such as several citrus oil extracts or rose flower oil, which the European Commission has categorized as established allergens, “may trigger an allergic reaction after a few contacts or can cause someone to develop an allergy over a longer period of time”, EWG reports.
Additionally, a 2018 study found that essential oils, similar to certain synthetic fragrances, have also been found to emit numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
According to the report, “some of these VOCs are considered as potentially hazardous under federal regulations. However, essential oils are exempt from disclosure of their ingredients on their label. Thus, the public may lack information on emissions and potential hazards from essential oils.”
What I’ve learned over the course of my research is that sometimes a synthetic ingredient may actually contain fewer allergens than a “natural” ingredient. As discussed in a previous post about non-toxic skincare, the word natural doesn’t always mean better.
And, when it comes to fragrance, the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners shares, “It is important that companies look for safer alternatives where available and report all ingredients in their fragrances, both natural and synthetic, so that consumers are able to avoid potential allergic reactions and other health consequences.” We can all agree on that!
The good news is today more perfume brands are creating products that are not only free of potentially harmful ingredients but that are also eco-friendly, ethically manufactured, and, best of all, provide complete ingredient transparency so consumers can know what they’re buying!
How to Choose a Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Perfume
Check the brand’s website for a list of ingredients. What ingredients are being used? Are the ingredients safe? Are they phthalate-free?
If you have any concerns or doubts about a specific ingredient you can always get more information on the EWG Skin Deep Database.
If the brand doesn’t list the ingredients on their website, feel free to contact them directly and ask them to share their list of ingredients with you. If they don’t, it may be time to find an alternative brand.
Ideally, an eco-friendly perfume brand will not only be transparent about its ingredients as well as conform to IFRA guidelines but will also focus on low or zero waste packaging and ethical manufacturing.
To help save you time on your hunt for a sustainably-made non-toxic perfume, check out the brands below!
Editor’s note: this guide includes affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase through these particular links. As always, all product and brand selections meet rigorous standards for sustainability and are brands we genuinely love — and that we think you’ll love too!
The Best Eco-Friendly Perfume Brands
1. Henry Rose
This sustainable perfume brand provides an array of fragrances that are EWG and Cradle to Cradle Certified. Henry Rose perfumes are made of a combination of both safe synthetics and natural ingredients and are free of harmful ingredients such as phthalates, formaldehyde, and styrene. This nearly zero waste perfume brand also uses 90% recycled and 100% recyclable packaging.
Conscious Qualities: 100% Ingredient Transparency, EWG-Verified, Cradle to Cradle Certified (Gold), Eco Packaging, Gives Back
Scent types: Clean, Smooth, Spicy, Earthy
Price: $$
2. PHLUR
This certified B-Corp and eco-friendly perfume brand crafts their fragrances using only clean and safe ingredients. In fact, they vow to never use materials listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of threatened plants so as to ensure that their ingredients are always responsibly sourced. PHLUR is fully transparent about the ingredients used within their fragrances, both botanical and synthetics.
Conscious Qualities: 100% Ingredient Transparency, Gives Back, Recycled Packaging, Made Safe Supporter
Scent Types: Floral, Crisp and Fresh, Spicy
Price: $$
Check it Out: PHLUR | Credo Beauty | Sephora
3. One Seed
One seed makes honest natural and eco-friendly perfume from plants and tells you exactly what’s in it. Fully transparent about their ingredients, One Seed, uses no synthetic ingredients and is packaged in recyclable and reusable materials. In addition to working closely with their suppliers to ensure all their ingredients and materials are sustainably sourced. One Seed also offers customized fragrance blends of their sustainable perfume!
Conscious Qualities: 100% Ingredient Transparency, Only Natural Ingredients (80% Organic), Eco Packaging, Gives Back
Scent Type: Woodsy, Floral, Fresh, Warm
Price: $$
Check it Out: One Seed | Nourished Life
4. Leland Francis
Reviewed by CL&S Editor Elizabeth Joy
Crafted in small batches in Los Angeles with full ingredient transparency, Leland Francis fragrances are made entirely with plant-derived ingredients. Any sprays are blended with organic sugarcane alcohol.
When I read the scent profile of their fragrance, Rowdy Boy — made in collaboration with a queer-owned farm in Oklahoma City — of bergamot, clary sage, sandal wood, and vetiver, I was in. Their fragrances are unisex, but this one is an extrait de parfum which is more intense, so it was a better fit for my husband. We both love the scent!
Conscious Qualities: Cruelty-Free, Ingredient Transparency, 100% Naturally Derived Scent
Scent Type: Woody & Warm, Earthy, Herbal
Price: $$
5. Abbott
Abbott’s eco-friendly perfume is made using the cleanest conscious ingredients. These unisex fragrances are free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and other questionable ingredients. Carefully crafted using a mixture of natural and synthetic ingredients, Abbott discloses a full list of their ingredients on their website. Plus, their ingredients are sustainably sourced and they work closely with their suppliers to produce eco-minded packaging.
Conscious Qualities: 100% Ingredient Transparency, Vegan & Cruelty-free, Sustainably-Sourced Ingredients, Recyclable Packaging, Gives Back
Scent Type: Cool and Crisp (with a hint of spice), Fresh, Citrus, Floral
Price: $$
Check it Out: Abbott | Credo Beauty
6. The 7 Virtues
This fragrance brand is more than a fragrance, “it’s a movement to use business for peace. 7V (The 7 Virtues), founded by Barb Stegemann, a former journalist who never set out to make perfume, is a fair-trade, ethically sourced, and eco-friendly perfume brand on a mission to provide alternatives for farmers in nations rebuilding after war and strife around the world. Ingredients are ethically sourced from countries such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Rwanda, and Iran. In addition, 7V uses only clean and natural ingredients and is transparent about ingredients used in each fragrance.
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade and Organic ingredients, Ingredient Transparency, Supports Farmers, Cruelty-Free & Vegan
Scent Types: Warm, Spicy, Floral, Woodsy
Price: $$
7. DedCool
This LA sustainable perfume brand, founded by Carina Chaz, provides a variety of gender-neutral fragrances that are composed, crafted, filled, and packaged in reusable and recyclable glass bottles. Made in small batches, Ded Cool uses only safe synthetics and essential oils in their formulas and is free of carcinogens, harmful stabilizers and preservatives, and water, which many brands use to dilute their formulas.
Conscious Qualities: 100% Ingredient Transparency, Low Waste Packaging, Unisex Scents
Scent types: Citrus, Fresh, Light, Fruity
Price: $$
8. By Rosie Jane
Handmade in Los Angeles, California by/Rosie Jane products are mixed and formulated using sustainably sourced safe synthetic and botanical ingredients. Free of endocrine-disrupting ingredients, by/Rosie Jane provides complete ingredient transparency and uses certified organic ingredients whenever possible. The sustainable perfume also comes in recyclable packaging made using wind power, vegetable-based inks, and responsibly-sourced paper.
Conscious Qualities: 100% Ingredient Transparency, Eco Packaging, Responsibly-Sourced Ingredients
Scent Types: Musky, Fresh, Floral, Vanilla
Price: $-$$
Check it Out: by/Rosie Jane | Credo Beauty | Sephora
9 Cultus Artem
Handcrafted in small batches in the US, Cultus Artem’s eco-friendly perfume can be summed up in one word, elegant. These gender-neutral fragrances — which are free of BHA, BHT, color additives, ethanolamines (ETA, DEA, and TEA), formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, and other questionable chemicals — undergo rigorous quality control and analysis. Cultus Artem values slow beauty and strives to reduce waste every step of the way, including in their packaging.
Conscious Qualities: Safe and Natural Ingredients, 100% Ingredient Transparency
Scent Types: Woodsy, Musky, Floral, Citrusy, Warm & Earthy
Price: $$$-$$$$
10. Skylar
On a quest for safe and clean scents, Skylar formulates their fragrances with the strictest standards, excluding questionable ingredients such as phthalates, formaldehyde, and synthetic dyes, amongst others. Skylar uses natural ingredients and lab-made ingredients to make their safe and hypoallergenic perfumes. They do not disclose their complete ingredient list, preferring to keep their proprietary formulas to themselves. However, they are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Conscious Qualities: Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Eco Packaging, Made in the US, Ethically-Sourced
Scent Type: Citrus, Dewy, Fresh, Floral, Warm
Price: $$
A few more eco-friendly perfume brands:
Clean Beauty: Formulated using sustainably and ethically sourced farm-to-fragrance ingredients. Partners with companies supporting small farming communities around the world. Free of ingredients such as phthalates, acetone, synthetic colors, and more! Eco-friendly packaging.
Maison Louis Marie: This eco-friendly perfume brand does not use any toxic or environmentally harmful ingredients. They use both naturally sourced ingredients and safe synthetics so as to protect the planet from over-harvesting of endangered plants, to avoid animal products, and to protect against known allergens. Maison Louis Marie is also a member of 1% for the Planet.
Ellis Brooklyn: Ellis Brooklyn uses only clean and safe ingredients, avoiding unsafe low quality synthetics. Although the majority of their ingredients are natural Ellis Brooklyn will use synthetics when they are the safer or more sustainable option. All their fragrances are PETA-certified cruelty-free and vegan. In addition, they ship carbon neutral whenever possible and offset their carbon footprint by contributing to the Carbon Fund annually.
Sana Jardin This socially conscious fragrance brand is on a mission to harness the power of commerce for social good, using their eco-friendly perfumes as “a vehicle for social impact and the economic empowerment of women.” (Click he