This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Friday, 31 December 2021
It's a Question of Timing?
For the start of 2022, the UK's weather, is scheduled to be some of the mildest on record (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/31/warm-winter-fatal-for-uk-endangered-species-bats-butterflies-hedgehogs). A mild winter is not, however, good news for some organisms. Spring flowers may appear in January and then be damaged by later cold snaps. Butterflies, such as the Red admiral and the Small tortoiseshell, may emerge from their pupae too early. If they do so, they will fail to encounter food resources for both the adult and any potential larvae. Hibernating Mammals, like hedgehogs and bats, may awake before conditions are appropriate for feeding. This premature activity wastes limited energy resources. Climate change effectively disrupts the seasonal 'triggers' used by many organisms to enhance their chances of survival and reproducing. This is why I have posted on 'Seeing the Changes' for so many years.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Birder's Bonus 241
Noted a Curlew ( Numenius arquata ) on the Loughor estuary at Bynea.
-
Greater spearwort ( Ranunculus lingua ) has been used in traditional medicine to treat rheumatism, skin conditions and digestive problems.
-
Green buckwheat ( Fagopyrum tartaricum ) is also called 'Tartar buckwheat'. It's a domesticated food plant, producing kernels. ...
-
Daily shots of my fully compostable Oyster mushroom pot, received for Christmas. Omelettes ahoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment