Tags
Agriculture, Bees, Environment, Invasives, Nature, Pesticides
Federal Land Transfer Proposal Sparks Access Concerns
Efforts underway in congress to transfer federal lands to the states is leading to concerns on the part of outdoor enthusiasts over access to those lands. The Oregonian elaborates: http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2017/01/proposal_to_transfer_federal_l.html#incart_river_index
Marine Preserves: Do They Work?
Protected marine areas have grown worldwide, in recent years, with the U.S. leading the push. How effective the preserves have been at protecting species and habitat is, however, still a question. Unsurprisingly, given the spotty knowledge we have of marine ecosystems, the results appear to have been variable. The Smithsonian tackles the issue: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/momentum-grows-ocean-preserves-how-well-do-they-work-180961690/
Helping the Insects That Help Us
Along with more photogenic species of plants and animals, insects are suffering from the environmental changes wrought by mankind. The Smithsonian has an article detailing steps home gardeners can take to boost beneficial insect populations: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/creating-insect-habitat-ripley-garden-180961898/
Meanwhile, in the Seychelles an experiment in removing invasive plants led to almost immediate results, with bees, butterflies and birds returning to restored areas within six months. The BBC has details: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-38800967