Month: September 2022

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Alternative Pest Control: Replacing Pesticides with Ants

Yirka, B. (2022, August 19). Replacing pesticides with ants to protect crops. Phys.org. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://phys.org/news/2022-08-pesticides-ants-crops.html 

In the United States and around the world, farmers have turned to chemical pesticides to increase their yield of crops. Although chemical pesticides are a worldwide practice, studies have shown that the pesticides can kill pollinators, cause pollution, and raise concerns of what the chemicals in the pesticides do to one who eats the food. Recently, scientists have been gathering data on natural pesticides in an attempt to find an effective but environmentally friendly method of pest control. One group, publishing a paper titled, “Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences,” have analyzed studies to learn more about alternatives to chemical pesticides. Their solution: ants. The researchers found that in most studies the ants provided significant protection from hungry pests. The ants feed on the bugs without harming the plant, and in some cases have proved more effective than commercial pesticides. The researchers concluded that ants provide an inexpensive and sustainable way to control pests.

 

Overall, ants are an effective solution to pest control problems, and they are a significant improvement to the toxic chemicals currently being used. I think this article emphasizes the use of natural biotic relationships to solve problems in agriculture. The mutualistic relationship between the ants and the crops are to each other’s benefit, as well as the farmer. The ants can feed on the bugs, the plants are protected, and the farmer can grow crops without having to spray harmful chemicals on their land. I think this is such a beneficial addition to farming, and I’m interested to see whether this is implemented in the future.

 

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Genetically Enhanced Biocontrols could Help Fight Large Invasive Mammals

Publishers, P. (2022, July 8). Genetically-enhanced biocontrols could help fight large invasive mammals. Phys.org. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://phys.org/news/2022-07-genetically-enhanced-biocontrols-large-invasive-mammals.html 

Invasive mammals can have a significant impact on ecosystems and the environment, with methods for large mammals such as trapping and hunting having proved feasible on a large scale. With interest in an alternative pest control solution for large mammals, scientists have begun to experiment with genome engineering. While current studies have only been modeled on mice, genome engineering can prove to be effective in controlling the population of rats, rabbits, feral cats, and foxes. Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, the simulated gene drive will target and slice the X-chromosome at the correct time during meiosis. This way, only Y-chromosome carrying sperm will be able to successfully fertilize an egg. Drive carrying males can only produce male offspring, who will also carry the “molecular scissors” gene. Females of the invasive species will become more sparse and therefore produce less offspring, causing the population size to fall.

Invasive species are incredibly harmful to natural ecosystems, and large mammals need a more effective way to control their population. Genetic engineering as a solution to pest control highlights the bright future of genetic engineering science. And although the concept is fascinating, genome engineering is often seen as the “silver bullet” of pest control. It’s expensive to develop such technology, and hasn’t been tested on mammals yet. While managing to suppress cage populations of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, the technology model only shows the possibility of it working in mammals. Not to mention that once this technology is applied, it will take many years and multiple generations of animals to begin to see a difference. So while I think that this new research can be incredibly valuable, it may not be the most realistic solution to pest control.

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Soil Temperature can Predict Pest Spread in Crops

North Carolina State University. (2022, September 5). Soil temperature can predict pest spread in crops. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 8, 2022 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/09/220905160943.htm

Previously, it was thought that pests, such as the corn earworm, could not survive through winters past 40 degrees latitude due to the freezing temperatures. But new research indicates that the 40 degree division is no longer completely accurate. By comparing maps and historical trends, researchers are able to make zones on where the corn earworm can and can’t survive the winter. They found that the southern zone where the earworm is able to survive has grown in size. With warmer temperatures becoming more common, northern areas with previously no issue of the pest will have warm enough soil for the bugs to overwinter. 

I think this new research is incredibly important in predicting the northward migration of agriculture-harming pests. Soil temperature can now inform farmers on the spread of the corn earworm. But now that we know species who typically reside in warmer climates can now survive in more northern locations, I think this article raises the question of the impact this will have on northern ecosystems in the future. Sure, this new research is crucial for stopping corn earworm, but I think it highlights the possible migration of species that were previously limited to more southern latitudes. Species entering ecosystems where they were not formerly a part of can cause drastic disruptions to those food chains. And while this is critical research for pest control, I think this article also gives important insight into what the future may hold with increasing temperatures. 

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Mustangs vs. Mule Deer: Wild Horses Outcompeting Mule Deer for Resources

Heinz, M. (2022, August 17). Mustangs vs. Muleys: Wild horses out-competing mule deer for food, water . Cowboy State Daily. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://cowboystatedaily.com/2022/08/17/mustangs-vs-muleys-wild-horses-out-competing-mule-deer-for-food-water/ 

In the vast grasslands of the central United States, two species roam the prairie and compete for food and water. Mule Deer and Mustangs, well known to many, cohabitate this land and share its resources. But lately, the wild mustangs have started to outcompete the mule deer, leaving them struggling to find their share of food. The horses are all around grazers, while Mule deer only graze on specific plants, such as sage bush and buck bush. So when grassland forage becomes scarce, the deer simply struggle to compete. The Bureau of Land Management has been rounding up the mustangs in an attempt to rebalance the ecosystem, but many question the treatment of the captured horses.

This article highlights how biotic relationships affect differing species within an ecosystem. The biological advantage of a larger possible diet makes it easy for mustangs to overpopulate, threatening damage to the habitat and the population of other species. However, the article also raises the question of the ethics involved in culling the horses’ population. Currently, the Bureau of Land Management will drive the horses using low flying helicopters to capture sites. The helicopters will chase panicked horses who can injure themselves, and foals can be separated from their mothers. Family herds are separated, and the wild horses are moved to large holding facilities around the country. While the BLM encourages the training and adoption of the mustangs, for example the mustang makeover challenge, there are still over 59,000 wild horses and burros in off site holding facilities. The facilities are yet another expense to the local taxpayer. I have to agree with the contrasting argument mentioned in the later part of the article, and that there are more humane and effective ways to control the population, such as darting mares with contraceptives. The article highlights the effect of the wild horses on grassland environments, but it can be argued that there are better ways to keep the mustang’s numbers in check.

 

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Destructive lionfish are invading Brazil

National Geographic.  (2022, August 18).  Destructive lionfish are invading Brazil.  Retrieved 

August 21, 2022, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/lionfish-invading-brazil-coast-invasive-species

 

Lion Fish have earned the name the most destructive invasive fish.  They disrupt food chains and eat local fish. They have been spreading south in recent years to places such as Brazil.  Another place they have gone is the Mediterranean Sea, they came from the Indian Ocean and Suez Canal. They are predicted to eventually reach west Africa.  Lionfish have poisonous backs so they are hard to remove, they also are very good at adapting to new food sources and environments, hence why they are so damaging.

 

This article is related to Environmental science because it talks about how an invasive species is changing an environment and potentially the world if nothing is done soon.  Invasive species are damaging not only the species in the environment, but species from outside of it. In the case of the lionfish, they eat other fish, this disrupts how many fish the land and air animals get.  And if some land or air animals only get their food from the ocean they could die out completely.

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Cats are now considered an alien species in poland.

Nature World News. (2022, July 29).  Cats are now considered an alien species in poland.  

Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/52232/20220729/cats-now-considered-as-alien-invasive-species-in-poland.htm

Cats have been labeled an invasive species because they are killing local birds and other small animals.  They have been declared as an invasive species because in their pursuit to hunt these small animals scientists claim that they have hurt biodiversity.  Cats are so good at killing these birds they can even kill them while they are flying.

 

This article is related to Environmental Science because it is about an invasive species harming biodiversity.  The cats are making the birds and other small animals develop traits that will help them survive or hide from cat attacks rather than focus on more important things like how the animals could better adapt to the ever changing environment.  This happens in more places than just Poland, invasive species change the ecosystems and food webs that they are brought into.

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Invasive frog and snake species cost the world economy $16 billion, study shows.

Reuters. (2022, July 29).  Invasive frog and snake species cost the world economy $16 billion, 

study shows.  Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/invasive-frog-snake-species-cost-world-economy-16-bln-study-shows-2022-07-28/


 The American Bullfrog and brown tree snake cost the world economy $16 billion between the years of 1986 and 2020.  They did this by damaging crops and causing power outages.  They cause outages by crawling into electrical equipment.  The brown tree snake is breeding a lot and their numbers in recent years have skyrocketed in places like Guam and the Mariana islands.

 

This article is related to Environmental Science because it is about how invasive species are attempting to adapt to a new environment.  For instance, the snakes are crawling in and on electrical equipment probably looking for warmth or shelter.  They also are damaging crops by trying to find food in this new environment.  Recently they have made their way into the exotic pet trade because they are only found in certain parts of the world.

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The crab invading the Mediterranean Sea

BBC News. (2022, August 8). The crab invading the Mediterranean Sea. Retrieved August 21, 

2022, from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220809-how-the-mediterranean-became-the-worlds-most-invaded-sea

 

Blue Crabs are an invasive species to the mediterranean sea.   Their habitat of origin is the Indo-Pacific waters and they made their way to the Mediterranean when the Suez Canal was opened back in 1898.  These crabs reproduce 4 times a year and produce over 100,000 babies per female.  They are also very aggressive; they like to nip fishing line, fishing nets, other fish, and fisherman.  At first their arrival distributed the fishing business, but over time it helped grow the business by becoming one of the most sought-after seafoods in the region.

 

This article is related to Environmental Science because it is about how we changed a species desired environment to a different location.  This change was by accident and of course there were many problems this new species caused to the ecosystem, but it benefits humans and the fishing industry greatly.  These crabs have become a common resource for the people of the region that are less fortunate.  Because of the abundance of this crab, many people that are poor can fish for this crab and sell or eat them.

 

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Pigs to the Rescue: An Invasive Species Helped Save Australia’s Crocodiles

The New York Times. (2022, August 15). Pigs to the Rescue: An Invasive Species 

Helped Save Australia’s Crocodiles. Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/15/science/invasive-species-pigs-crocodiles.html 

 

Wild pigs have been a problem in Australia for many years because they destroy the landscape without any predators or way to lower their population.  Recently the pigs have started to go to the crocodile’s natural habitat: the swamps.  They go here for the drinking water that they desperately need, but the crocs have become lazy hunters, so whenever a pig takes a sip from the swamp it’s like a dinner bell for the crocs. 

 

This article is related to Environmental Science because it talks about how populations of invasive species are kept in check and how invasive species can be helpful.  The pigs are an invasive species to Australia and they destroy the land, the crocodiles are helping by lowering the pigs numbers.  This is beneficial to the landscape of Australia because if there are less wild pigs, not as much damage can be done.  This is beneficial to the native species, the crocodiles, because they get a free meal.  The crocodiles were endangered before the pigs moved to the swamps, but now they will have enough food to survive and breed.

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Mining Fossil Fuels & Power Plants

Human  Rights Watch. (2022, August 29). Bosnia-and-herzegovina -deadly-air-pollution

-killing-thousands Retrieved August 28,2022 from https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/29/

Bosnia-and-herzegovina-deadly-air-pollution-killing-thousands

This article is about Bosnia and has affected many citizens and some tourists of the city. Due to heavy air pollution people have started to pass away due to high levels of toxic material from coal and other heavy smogs. And the surprising thing is according to the human rights watch this is happening right now. With all of these toxic fumes it has created a harder environment for humans and to be honest anything organic at all. 

How does this have anything to do with environmental science? Our goal is to protect our world. And we have fallen short and with that the loss of life has happened. Many adults and children have suffered from this. And has not only affected humans but everything that is organic. In my opinion we still have time and everything counts.