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.
Sunday, 13 March 2022
Vole Engineers
A University of Exeter study found that Brandt's voles 'engineer' their immediate environment (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/mar/11/mongolian-rodent-brandts-vole-trims-tall-grass-to-foil-predators-study-finds). Brandt's vole lives on the plains of Inner Mongolia. This rodent cuts down tall Bunchgrass, which it doesn't eat. This 'forestry' enables the vole to more effectively scan the sky for aerial predators. It also stops a common predator, the Shrike ('Butcher bird'), having perching locations nearby. The Shrike also cannot stock 'larders', on these grasses, with killed prey. Cunning things, these voles!
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Wooden Tops 16. Hawthorn
As Hawthorn wood is strong and closely-grained, it's often used for carving. This wood is also employed to make tool handles, as well a...
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Greater spearwort ( Ranunculus lingua ) has been used in traditional medicine to treat rheumatism, skin conditions and digestive problems.
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Green buckwheat ( Fagopyrum tartaricum ) is also called 'Tartar buckwheat'. It's a domesticated food plant, producing kernels. ...
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Daily shots of my fully compostable Oyster mushroom pot, received for Christmas. Omelettes ahoy!
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