Editing Light pollution (section)

=== Ecological impact ===

{{Main|Ecological light pollution}}

While light at night can be beneficial, neutral, or damaging for individual [[species]], its presence invariably disturbs ecosystems. For example, some species of spiders avoid lit areas, while other species are happy to build their [[spider web|webs]] directly on lamp posts. Since lamp posts attract many flying insects, the spiders that tolerate the light gain an advantage over the spiders that avoid it. This is a simple example of the way in which species frequencies and food webs can be disturbed by the introduction of light at night.

Light pollution poses a serious threat in particular to [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]] wildlife, having negative impacts on plant and animal physiology.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jägerbrand |first1=Annika K. |last2=Spoelstra |first2=Kamiel |title=Effects of anthropogenic light on species and ecosystems |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |date=2023 |volume=380 |issue=6650 |pages=1125–1130 |doi=10.1126/science.adg3173|pmid=37319223 |bibcode=2023Sci...380.1125J |s2cid=259166091 |url=https://pure.knaw.nl/portal/en/publications/3f82a70f-504f-4b1a-93bf-bde72a20e2ee |hdl=20.500.11755/3f82a70f-504f-4b1a-93bf-bde72a20e2ee |hdl-access=free }}</ref> It can confuse [[animal navigation]], alter competitive interactions, change predator-prey relations,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=McMahon |first1=Oak |last2=Smyth |first2=Tim |last3=Davies |first3=Thomas W. |date=2022-03-25 |title=Broad spectrum artificial light at night increases the conspicuousness of camouflaged prey |journal=Journal of Applied Ecology |volume=59 |issue=5 |language=en |pages=1365–2664.14146 |doi=10.1111/1365-2664.14146 |s2cid=247754178 |issn=0021-8901|doi-access=free |bibcode=2022JApEc..59.1324M |hdl=10026.1/18654 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> and cause physiological harm.<ref name="Perry-2008">{{Cite book| last1=Perry| first1=G.| last2=Buchanan| first2=B. W.| last3=Fisher| first3=R. N.| last4=Salmon| first4=M.| last5=Wise| first5=S. E.| chapter=Effects of artificial night lighting on amphibians and reptiles in urban environments| date=2008| editor1-first=J. C.| editor2-first=R. E. J.| editor3-first=B.| title=Urban Herpetology| volume=3| pages=239–256| publisher=Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles| publication-date=2008| isbn=978-0-916984-79-3| editor2-last=Mitchell| editor3-last=Brown| editor1-last=Bartholomew}}</ref> The rhythm of life is orchestrated by the natural diurnal patterns of light and dark, so disruption to these patterns impacts the ecological dynamics.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1890/1540-9295(2004)002[0191:ELP]2.0.CO;2|url=http://www.urbanwildlands.org/Resources/LongcoreRich2004.pdf|title=Ecological light pollution|journal=Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment|date=2004|volume=2|issue=4|pages=191–198|last1=Longcore|first1=Travis|last2=Rich|first2=Catherine|doi-access=free|access-date=2005-07-29|archive-date=2011-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512162227/http://www.urbanwildlands.org/Resources/LongcoreRich2004.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Many species of marine plankton, such as ''Calanus'' copepods, can detect light levels as low as 0.1 μWm<sup>−2</sup>;<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Båtnes |first1=Anna S. |last2=Miljeteig |first2=Cecilie |last3=Berge |first3=Jørgen |last4=Greenacre |first4=Michael |last5=Johnsen |first5=Geir |date=January 2015 |title=Quantifying the light sensitivity of Calanus spp. during the polar night: potential for orchestrated migrations conducted by ambient light from the sun, moon, or aurora borealis? |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00300-013-1415-4 |journal=Polar Biology |language=en |volume=38 |issue=1 |pages=51–65 |doi=10.1007/s00300-013-1415-4 |bibcode=2015PoBio..38...51B |s2cid=11754884 |issn=0722-4060|url-access=subscription }}</ref> using this as a threshold a global atlas of marine Artificial Light at Night has been generated,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Smyth |first1=T. J. |last2=Wright |first2=A. E. |last3=McKee |first3=D. |last4=Tidau |first4=S. |last5=Tamir |first5=R. |last6=Dubinsky |first6=Z. |last7=Iluz |first7=D. |last8=Davies |first8=T. W. |date=2021-12-13 |title=A global atlas of artificial light at night under the sea |journal=Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=00049 |doi=10.1525/elementa.2021.00049 |bibcode=2021EleSA...9...49S |s2cid=245169968 |issn=2325-1026|doi-access=free |hdl=10037/24006 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> showing its global widespread nature.

Studies suggest that light pollution around lakes prevents zooplankton, such as ''[[Daphnia]]'', from eating surface [[algae]], causing [[algal bloom]]s that can kill off the lakes' plants and lower water quality.<ref>{{cite journal| author=Moore, Marianne V.| author2=Pierce, Stephanie M.| author3=Walsh, Hannah M.| author4=Kvalvik, Siri K.| author5=Julie D. Lim| name-list-style=amp| url=http://www.wellesley.edu/Biology/Faculty/Mmoore/Content/Moore_2000.pdf| title=Urban light pollution alters the diel vertical migration of Daphnia| journal=Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol| volume=27| date=2000| issue=2| page=779| doi=10.1080/03680770.1998.11901341| bibcode=2000SILP...27..779M| access-date=2005-05-29| archive-date=2005-10-21| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051021232549/http://www.wellesley.edu/Biology/Faculty/Mmoore/Content/Moore_2000.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref> Light pollution may also affect ecosystems in other ways. For example, [[entomologist]]s have documented that nighttime light may interfere with the ability of moths and other nocturnal insects to navigate.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Frank, Kenneth D.|url=http://www.darksky.org/infoshts/is109.html|title=Impact of outdoor lighting on moths|journal=Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society|date=1988|volume=42|pages=63–93|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060617110107/http://www.darksky.org/infoshts/is109.html|archive-date=2006-06-17}}</ref> It can also negative impact on insect development and reproduction.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Boyes|first1=Douglas H.|last2=Evans|first2=Darren M.|last3=Fox|first3=Richard|last4=Parsons|first4=Mark S.|last5=Pocock|first5=Michael J. O.|date=2021|title=Is light pollution driving moth population declines? A review of causal mechanisms across the life cycle|journal=Insect Conservation and Diversity|language=en|volume=14|issue=2|pages=167–187|doi=10.1111/icad.12447|s2cid=224956373|issn=1752-4598|doi-access=free}}</ref> Night-blooming flowers that depend on moths for [[pollination]] may be affected by night lighting, as there is no replacement [[pollinator]] that would not be affected by the artificial light. This can lead to species decline of plants that are unable to reproduce, and change an area's longterm [[ecology]].<ref>[https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/08/confirmed-night-lights-drive-pollinators-away-from-plants/535983/ Confirmed: Night Lights Drive Pollinators Away From Plants] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708104417/https://www.theatlantic.com/amp/article/535983/ |date=2018-07-08 }} The Atlantic, 2017</ref> Among nocturnal insects, [[Firefly|fireflies]] ([[Beetle|Coleoptera]]: Lampyridae, Phengodidae and Elateridae) are especially interesting study objects for light pollution, once they depend on their own light to reproduce and, consequently, are very sensitive to environmental levels of light.<ref name="Longcore, Travis-2006" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lloyd|first1=James E.|last2=Wing|first2=Steven R.|last3=Hongtrakul|first3=Tawatchai|date=1989|title=Ecology, Flashes, and Behavior of Congregating Thai Fireflies|jstor=2388290|journal=Biotropica|volume=21|issue=4|pages=373–376|doi=10.2307/2388290|bibcode=1989Biotr..21..373L }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Firebaugh|first1=Ariel|last2=Haynes|first2=Kyle J.|date=2016-12-01|title=Experimental tests of light-pollution impacts on nocturnal insect courtship and dispersal|journal=Oecologia|language=en|volume=182|issue=4|pages=1203–1211|doi=10.1007/s00442-016-3723-1|issn=0029-8549|bibcode=2016Oecol.182.1203F|pmid=27646716|s2cid=36670391}}</ref> Fireflies are well known and interesting to the general public (unlike many other insects)<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Picchi|first1=Malayka Samantha|last2=Avolio|first2=Lerina|last3=Azzani|first3=Laura|last4=Brombin|first4=Orietta|last5=Camerini|first5=Giuseppe|date=2013-08-01|title=Fireflies and land use in an urban landscape: the case of Luciola italica L. (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) in the city of Turin|journal=Journal of Insect Conservation|language=en|volume=17|issue=4|pages=797–805|doi=10.1007/s10841-013-9562-z|bibcode=2013JICon..17..797P |s2cid=17204044|issn=1366-638X}}</ref> and are easily spotted by non-experts, and, due to their sensibility and rapid response to environmental changes, good [[bioindicator]]s for artificial night lighting.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Viviani|first1=Vadim Ravara|last2=Rocha|first2=Mayra Yamazaki|last3=Hagen|first3=Oskar|date=June 2010|title=Bioluminescent beetles (Coleoptera: Elateroidea: Lampyridae, Phengodidae, Elateridae) in the municipalities of Campinas, Sorocaba-Votorantim and Rio Claro-Limeira (SP, Brazil): biodiversity and influence of urban sprawl|journal=Biota Neotropica|volume=10|issue=2|pages=103–116|doi=10.1590/S1676-06032010000200013|issn=1676-0603|doi-access=free}}</ref> Significant declines in some insect populations have been suggested as being at least partially mediated by artificial lights at night.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Grubisic|first1=M.|last2=van Grunsven|first2=R.H.A.|last3=Kyba|first3=C.C.M.|last4=Manfrin|first4=A.|last5=Hölker|first5=F.|date=2018-06-11|title=Insect declines and agroecosystems: does light pollution matter?|journal=Annals of Applied Biology|volume=173|issue=2|pages=180–189|language=en|doi=10.1111/aab.12440|s2cid=89892699|issn=0003-4746|url=http://gfzpublic.gfz-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:3275891|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Boyes|first1=Douglas H.|last2=Evans|first2=Darren M.|last3=Fox|first3=Richard|last4=Parsons|first4=Mark S.|last5=Pocock|first5=Michael J. O.|date=August 2021|title=Street lighting has detrimental impacts on local insect populations|journal=Science Advances|volume=7|issue=35|pages=eabi8322|language=EN|doi=10.1126/sciadv.abi8322|pmc=8386932|pmid=34433571|bibcode=2021SciA....7.8322B}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|date=2020-01-01|title=Light pollution is a driver of insect declines|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320719307797|journal=Biological Conservation|language=en|volume=241|pages=108259|doi=10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108259|issn=0006-3207|last1=Owens|first1=Avalon C.S.|last2=Cochard|first2=Précillia|last3=Durrant|first3=Joanna|last4=Farnworth|first4=Bridgette|last5=Perkin|first5=Elizabeth K.|last6=Seymoure|first6=Brett|bibcode=2020BCons.24108259O|s2cid=209570356|access-date=2021-09-18|archive-date=2021-09-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918115908/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320719307797|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
[[File:Scorpion in arizona.jpg|thumb|A scorpion hides under rocks.]]
[[File:Birds flying trace.jpg|alt=Birds flying trace and star trail near Rio de Janeiro beach at night time in light pollution|thumb|Birds flying trace and star trail near Rio de Janeiro beach at night time in light pollution]]
[[File:Brazil star trails and birds in light pollution photography in Rio beach at night.jpg|alt=Brazil star trails and birds in light pollution in Rio beach at night|thumb|Brazil star trails and birds in light pollution in Rio beach at night]]

A 2009 study<ref name="PolarizedLightEnv">{{cite journal|author2=Gábor Horváth|author3=György Kriska|author4=Péter Malik|author5=Bruce Robertson|title=Polarized light pollution: a new kind of ecological photopollution|journal=Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment|volume=7|issue=6 |date=August 2009|pages=317–325|doi=10.1890/080129|last1=Horváth|first1=Gábor|doi-access=free|bibcode=2009FrEE....7..317H }}</ref> also suggests deleterious impacts on animals and ecosystems because of perturbation of polarized light or artificial polarization of light (even during the day, because direction of natural polarization of sun light and its reflection is a source of information for a lot of animals). This form of pollution is named [[polarized light pollution]] (PLP). Unnatural polarized light sources can trigger maladaptive behaviors in polarization-sensitive taxa and alter ecological interactions.<ref name="PolarizedLightEnv" />

Lights on tall structures can disorient migrating birds. Estimates by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the number of birds killed after being attracted to tall towers range from four to five million per year to an order of magnitude higher.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Malakoff, D. |title=Faulty towers|journal=Audubon|date=2001|volume=103|pages=78–83 | issue=5}}</ref> The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) works with building owners in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada and other cities to reduce mortality of birds by turning out lights during migration periods. Another study has found that the lights produced by the [[Post Tower]] has affected 25 bird species. As a result, they discovered that decreasing the use of excessive lights increased the survival rate of bird species.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Korner |first1=Pius |last2=von Maravic |first2=Irina |last3=Haupt |first3=Heiko |date=2022-07-01 |title=Birds and the 'Post Tower' in Bonn: a case study of light pollution |journal=Journal of Ornithology |language=en |volume=163 |issue=3 |pages=827–841 |doi=10.1007/s10336-022-01985-2 |s2cid=248788275 |issn=2193-7206|doi-access=free |bibcode=2022JOrni.163..827K }}</ref>

Similar disorientation has also been noted for bird species migrating close to offshore production and drilling facilities. Studies carried out by Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij b.v. (NAM) and Shell have led to the development and trial of new lighting technologies in the North Sea. In early 2007, the lights were installed on the Shell production platform L15. The experiment proved a great success since the number of birds circling the platform declined by 50 to 90%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nam.nl/home/Framework?siteId=nam-nl |title=Welkom op de site van de Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij BV |publisher=Nam.nl |date=2009-03-26 |access-date=2010-09-04 |archive-date=2011-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202233013/http://www.nam.nl/home/Framework?siteId=nam-nl }}</ref>

Birds migrate at night for several reasons. They save water from dehydration in hot day flying, and part of the bird's navigation system works with stars in some way. With city light outshining the night sky, birds (and also about mammals) no longer navigate by stars.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-15|title=در سایه‌ی نور‌ها|url=https://parisabajelan.com/brazil-birds-and-light-pollution/|access-date=2020-10-16|website=پریسا باجلان|language=fa-IR|archive-date=2021-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410195730/https://parisabajelan.com/brazil-birds-and-light-pollution/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Sea turtle]] hatchlings emerging from nests on beaches are another casualty of light pollution. It is a common misconception that hatchling sea turtles are attracted to the moon. Rather, they find the ocean by moving away from the dark silhouette of dunes and their vegetation, a behavior with which artificial lights interfere.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Salmon, M.|url=http://www.seaturtle.org/PDF/Salmon_2003_Biologist.pdf|title=Artificial night lighting and sea turtles|journal=Biologist|date=2003|volume=50|pages=163–168}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The breeding activity and reproductive phenology of toads, however, are cued by moonlight.<ref>{{cite journal| title=The lunar cycle: a cue for amphibian reproductive phenology?| journal=Animal Behaviour| volume=78|date=2009|pages=349–357| doi=10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.05.007| issue=2| last1=Grant| first1=Rachel A.| last2=Chadwick| first2=Elizabeth A.| last3=Halliday| first3=Tim| s2cid=53169271}}</ref> Juvenile seabirds are also disoriented by lights as they leave their nests and fly out to sea, causing events of high mortality.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=RodrÍguez|first1=Airam|last2=RodrÍguez|first2=Beneharo|title=Attraction of petrels to artificial lights in the Canary Islands: effects of the moon phase and age class|journal=Ibis|volume=151|pages=299–310|date=2009|doi=10.1111/j.1474-919X.2009.00925.x|issue=2|hdl=10261/45133|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2012.00544.x| title = Factors affecting mortality of shearwaters stranded by light pollution| journal = Animal Conservation| volume = 15| issue = 5| pages = 519–526| year = 2012| last1 = Rodríguez| first1 = A.| last2 = Rodríguez| first2 = B.| last3 = Curbelo| first3 = Á. J.| last4 = Pérez| first4 = A.| last5 = Marrero| first5 = S.| last6 = Negro| first6 = J. J.| bibcode = 2012AnCon..15..519R| url = https://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/60076/1/Rodr%c3%adguez%20et%20al%202012%20Anim%20Conserv.pdf| hdl = 10261/60076| s2cid = 36944990| hdl-access = free| access-date = 2018-04-20| archive-date = 2021-04-15| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210415095650/https://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/60076/1/Rodr%c3%adguez%20et%20al%202012%20Anim%20Conserv.pdf| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0110114| title = Fatal Attraction of Short-Tailed Shearwaters to Artificial Lights| journal = PLOS ONE| volume = 9| issue = 10| pages = e110114| year = 2014| last1 = Rodríguez | first1 = A. | last2 = Burgan | first2 = G. | last3 = Dann | first3 = P. | last4 = Jessop | first4 = R. | last5 = Negro | first5 = J. J. | last6 = Chiaradia | first6 = A. | pmid=25334014 | pmc=4198200|bibcode = 2014PLoSO...9k0114R | doi-access = free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rodríguez |first1=Airam |last2=Holmes |first2=Nick D. |last3=Ryan |first3=Peter G. |last4=Wilson |first4=Kerry-Jayne |last5=Faulquier |first5=Lucie |last6=Murillo |first6=Yovana |last7=Raine |first7=André F. |last8=Penniman |first8=Jay F. |last9=Neves |first9=Verónica |last10=Rodríguez |first10=Beneharo |last11=Negro |first11=Juan J. |last12=Chiaradia |first12=André |last13=Dann |first13=Peter |last14=Anderson |first14=Tracy |last15=Metzger |first15=Benjamin |last16=Shirai |first16=Masaki |last17=Deppe |first17=Lorna |last18=Wheeler |first18=Jennifer |last19=Hodum |first19=Peter |last20=Gouveia |first20=Catia |last21=Carmo |first21=Vanda |last22=Carreira |first22=Gilberto P. |last23=Delgado-Alburqueque |first23=Luis |last24=Guerra-Correa |first24=Carlos |last25=Couzi |first25=François-Xavier |last26=Travers |first26=Marc |last27=Corre |first27=Matthieu Le |title=Seabird mortality induced by land-based artificial lights: Seabird Mortality and Artificial Lights |journal=Conservation Biology |date=October 2017 |volume=31 |issue=5 |pages=986–1001 |doi=10.1111/cobi.12900|pmid=28151557 |hdl=10400.3/4515 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Amphibians and reptiles are also affected by light pollution. Introduced light sources during normally dark periods can disrupt levels of melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates photoperiodic physiology and behaviour. Some species of frogs and salamanders utilize a light-dependent "compass" to orient their migratory behaviour to breeding sites. Introduced light can also cause developmental irregularities, such as retinal damage, reduced juvenile growth, premature metamorphosis,<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Dananay|first1=Kacey L.|last2=Benard|first2=Michael F.|date=2018-07-11|title=Artificial light at night decreases metamorphic duration and juvenile growth in a widespread amphibian|journal=Proc. R. Soc. B|language=en|volume=285|issue=1882|pages=20180367|doi=10.1098/rspb.2018.0367|pmid=30051829|pmc=6053935|issn=0962-8452}}</ref> reduced sperm production, and genetic mutation.<ref name="Perry-2008" /><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Rowan|first1=William|title=Light and seasonal reproduction in animals|journal=Biological Reviews|volume=13|pages=374–401|date=1938|doi=10.1111/j.1469-185X.1938.tb00523.x|issue=4|s2cid=84548036}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Scheling, L. |date=2006|title= Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting|volume=27|issue=3|journal=Natural Areas Journal|pages=281–282|doi=10.3375/0885-8608(2007)27[281:ecoanl]2.0.co;2|s2cid=83768296 }}</ref><ref name="Longcore, Travis-2006">{{cite book|author=Rich, Catherine |author2=Longcore, Travis |name-list-style=amp|title=Ecological consequences of artificial night lighting|publisher=Island Press|date=2006|isbn=978-1-55963-128-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Woltz|first1=H|last2=Gibbs|first2=J|last3=Ducey|first3=P|title=Road crossing structures for amphibians and reptiles: Informing design through behavioral analysis|journal=Biological Conservation|volume=141|pages=2745–2750|date=2008|doi=10.1016/j.biocon.2008.08.010|issue=11|bibcode=2008BCons.141.2745W|s2cid=82932376|url=http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/0tm3n517|access-date=2019-01-14|archive-date=2020-02-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217170314/https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0tm3n517|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Barrett|first1=K|last2=Guyer|first2=C|title=Differential responses of amphibians and reptiles in riparian and stream habitats to land use disturbances in western Georgia, USA|journal=Biological Conservation|volume=141|pages=2290–2300|date=2008|doi=10.1016/j.biocon.2008.06.019|issue=9|bibcode=2008BCons.141.2290B}}</ref> Close to global coastal megacities (e.g. Tokyo, Shanghai), the natural illumination cycles provided by the moon in the marine environment are considerably disrupted by light pollution, with only nights around the full moon providing greater radiances, and over a given month lunar dosages may be a factor of 6 less than light pollution dosages.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Smyth |first1=T. J. |last2=Wright |first2=A. E. |last3=Edwards-Jones |first3=A. |last4=McKee |first4=D. |last5=Queirós |first5=A. |last6=Rendon |first6=O. |last7=Tidau |first7=S. |last8=Davies |first8=T. W. |date=2022 |title=Disruption of marine habitats by artificial light at night from global coastal megacities |journal=Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene |volume=10 |issue=1 |page=00042 |doi=10.1525/elementa.2022.00042 |bibcode=2022EleSA..10...42S |s2cid=254213236 |issn=2325-1026|doi-access=free |hdl=10037/28198 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

In September 2009, the 9th European Dark-Sky Symposium in Armagh, Northern Ireland had a session on the environmental effects of light at night (LAN). It dealt with bats, turtles, the "hidden" harms of LAN, and many other topics.<ref>[http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2181927 Video] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102120622/http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2181927 |date=2011-01-02 }}. Ustream.tv. Retrieved 2011-12-03.</ref> The environmental effects of LAN were mentioned as early as 1897, in a ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' article. The following is an excerpt from that article, called "Electricity and English songbirds":

{{blockquote|An English journal has become alarmed at the relation of electricity to songbirds, which it maintains is closer than that of cats and fodder crops. How many of us, it asks, foresee that electricity may extirpate the songbird?{{nbsp}}... With the exception of the finches, all the English songbirds may be said to be insectivorous, and their diet consists chiefly of vast numbers of very small insects which they collect from the grass and herbs before the dew is dry. As the electric light is finding its way for street illumination into the country parts of England, these poor winged atoms are slain by thousands at each light every warm summer evening.{{nbsp}}... The fear is expressed, that when England is lighted from one end to the other with electricity the songbirds will die out from the failure of their food supply.<ref>{{cite news|title=Electricity and English songbirds|date=14 September 1897|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>}}