Affluent Savvy
Affluent Savvy
Photo: Helena Lopes
The quokka, a small marsupial native to Australia, is one such example of a species vulnerable to extinction in the country's harsh surroundings. Known as the “happiest animal in the world” due to its cute and friendly appearance, these creatures are now only found in a few isolated forests and small islands.
In the long run, your cash loses its value and purchasing power. Another red flag that you have too much cash in your savings account is if you...
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The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.
Learn More »Australia, recently devastated by severe wildfires, is no stranger to the consequences of climate change, habitat destruction and invasive species. The quokka, a small marsupial native to Australia, is one such example of a species vulnerable to extinction in the country’s harsh surroundings. Known as the “happiest animal in the world” due to its cute and friendly appearance, these creatures are now only found in a few isolated forests and small islands. In a new study, published this month in the Journal of Zoology, researchers at Vanderbilt University demonstrate evidence that invasive species, most notably foxes, were likely responsible for the dramatic decline of quokkas over the past century. “Australia has experienced catastrophic losses due to warming temperatures, drought, and the combination of these effects on resident animals,” said Larisa DeSantis, senior author and Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Vanderbilt. “The iconic wildlife Australia is best known for, evolved largely in isolation and has been in decline since Europeans introduced foxes, rabbits, goats, and other animals that have preyed upon and/or competed with native animals for food and water.” Until now, the reason for the decline in the quokka population was unclear. Some studies attributed the decline to climatic and vegetative change, while others have pointed to overhunting and/or the introduction of non-native species. To study the ecology of these mammals, DeSantis and undergraduate student Elinor Scholtz, the lead author of the study, examined the teeth of fossil and modern quokka specimens. By molding and drilling their teeth, they were able to determine the types of plants consumed and attributes about their habitat—through time and between mainland and island populations. “Piecing together the ecological history of the quokka helped us better understand why they are an isolated and vulnerable species today,” said Scholtz. “We learned that quokkas on mainland Australia today occupy denser forests than in the past, likely to avoid predation by foxes. In contrast, quokkas typically live in more open habitats and feed on tougher vegetation on islands that lack foxes.” While they occur in high numbers on Rottnest Island, an island that foxes were unable to occupy, numerous quokkas die on Rottnest Island every summer due to the lack of sufficient freshwater—with mortality only expected to increase with warmer temperatures and more frequent droughts.The destruction caused by brushfires in Stirling Range in Western Australia has also made these ‘vulnerable’ animals even more prone to extinction. “To put this all in perspective, the entire geographic range of quokkas is only a fraction of the size of the forests that were completely decimated from fires during one year in Australia,” said DeSantis. “We are essentially playing roulette with native species in Australia, and the odds are stacked against quokkas and many other native animals in the face of invasive species, fires, and the current climate crisis.” The research is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation and funding from Vanderbilt University.
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Solar Plexus Chakra This chakra regulates our fears, sense of power, and gut feelings.
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The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.
Learn More »This word “abundant” in the New Testament means “exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, a quantity so abundant as to be considerably more than what one would expect or anticipate.” In short, Jesus promises us a life far better than we could ever imagine, a concept reminiscent of 1 Corinthians 2:9: “No eye has ...
First, abundance is spiritual abundance, not material. In fact, God is not overly concerned with the physical circumstances of our lives. It is enough that He assures us that we need not worry about what we will eat or wear (Matthew 6:25-32; Philippians 4:19). Physical blessings may or may not be part of a God-centered life; neither our wealth nor our poverty is a sure indication of our standing with God. Second, eternal life, the life a Christian is truly concerned with, is not determined by duration but by a relationship with God. This is why, once we are converted and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are said to have eternal life already (1 John 5:11-13), though not, of course, in its fullness. Length of life on earth is not synonymous with abundant life.
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The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.
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The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.
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One common retirement rule of thumb is the 4% rule, which states that if you withdraw 4% of your total savings during the first year of retirement...
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