An associate professor at the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Science’s Department of Biology has received an award to examine the health and behavioral effects of light pollution on wild birds. | Shutterstock
An associate professor at the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Science’s Department of Biology has received an award to examine the health and behavioral effects of light pollution on wild birds. | Shutterstock
An associate professor at the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Science’s Department of Biology has received an award to examine the health and behavioral effects of light pollution on wild birds.
According to a university news release, Jenny Ouyang grew up in the sprawling Chinese metropolis of Xi'an, which led to her passion in how light pollution impacts the environment.
With the backing of a $1.2 million National Science Foundation CAREER Award grant, Ouyang will examine how artificial lighting impacts avian offspring.
“Currently, over 65% of the world’s population live under light pollution, with artificial light raising night sky luminance by over 10% of natural lighting levels. By 2025, over 80% of the world’s population will live under light polluted skies, which raises concern for human and wildlife wellbeing,” Ouyang said in the release. “This project will investigate how different colors of night lighting affect the health and behavioral rhythms of wild birds. It will also test how night light affects avian offspring. Lastly, an integrated educational plan seeks to train the next generation of young scientists.”
Ouyang believes that by 2025 more than 80% of people on Earth will live near urban areas that are artificially lit, impacting not only wildlife wellness but also human life.
“Project results will enhance scientific and technological understanding by converting light data into the index used by light engineers, which will inform engineers about artificial light sources that are most eco-friendly. In turn, the research will benefit society by informing the public," she said.
“I will collaborate with Philips lighting company to develop light boxes as an educational tool for elementary schools. Additionally, the education plan contains a partnership with Sierra Nevada Journeys to develop an ‘ALAN (artificial light at night) and clocks’ station for family STEM nights, reaching a broader audience of families, teachers, and administrators. Together, the findings of this project and the educational programs cohesively tackle an environmental pressure that is of growing societal and scientific concern,” she said.
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