Wooden Tops 17. Hazel

Hazel is used for woven baskets, fence 'hurdles' and walking sticks. The thinner sticks are used to support beans and other garden plants.

Bamboozled?

Bamboo isn't a tree. It's actually a very large and fast-growing grass. It's perfect for furniture making. Its possible to use bamboo for scaffolding on buildings or even to construct footbridges. , can serve as a model. Ten years ago, the residents of the small village of Pachgaon in the central Indian state of Maharashta, lived in absolute poverty. The villagers persisted in using the Forest Rights Act (2006) and the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996, to reassert their community's lost entitlements. In 2012, Pachgaon eventually won control of 1,006 hectares of local forest. Gaining these forest rights, meant the villagers could take their own marketing decisions on forestry products. They can decide how they harvest and cut the forest. In the last financial year, Pachgaon's bamboo business made a profit of £35,000. The village's 300 residents are now relatively wealthy by rural Indian standards. The forest is protected and healthy (https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/dec/17/india-adivasi-tribal-village-pachgaon-forest-law-traditional-rights). Growing bamboo and other plants must be encouraged to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This reduces global warming and limits climate change. There's ample evidence that tribal communities are generally much better environmental custodians than government agencies or corporations. Developments, such as one in Pachgaon, may serve as a model in some parts of the world. The villagers protect the jungle, and the jungle provides them with a living. It's almost a form of symbiosis.

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 as other small household items.

Malaria: A Growth Area

Globally, in 2023, there were 263 million cases of malaria. Six hundred thousand people (predominantly young children) died. This death rate from malarial infections, constituted a rise for the fifth consective year. The protozoan parasite, is showing increased resistance to anti-malarial drugs. Its mosquito vector, is also becoming less responsive to insecticides. The UN World Health Organisation (WHO) opines, however, that a funding shortfall was the major driver of increased malarial deaths in 2023. Climate and humanitarian disasters (wars, droughts and famines) are hampering effective control efforts (https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/dec/11/global-health-deaths-malaria-rise-drug-insecticide-resistance-climate-crisis-funding-un). Perhaps the recently developed and trialled vaccines against malaria will help? It currently seems likely, however, malaria will remain a major scourge in poorer global regions. This long-established disease certainly attracts less funding/investment than ailments that directly impact the populations of 'developed' nations.

Birder's Bonus 241

Noted a Curlew (Numenius arquata) on the Loughor estuary at Bynea.

Season's Greetings and an Excellent 2025 From Deepest Wales!

Things are not looking great! Many of the trajectories seem downwards. But you never know, surprises can (and do) happen!

Tundra Turning

For millennia, the Arctic tundra has served as a carbon 'sink'. Its generally icy surfaces, have effectively trapped organic material for extended periods. There's been, however, a recent complete transformation. Wildfires in this region, have converted the tundra into a net source of carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide is a 'greenhouse gas' causing planetary heating, by trapping solar radiation. That further increases thawing. The Arctic tundra is, consequently, now spewing out stored methane gas. Methane is another 'greenhouse gas' with a potency thirty times that of carbon dioxide. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes that, in 2023, the Arctic tundra's annual surface air temperature was the second warmest on record. Records go back to 1900. Currently, the Arctic is warming at four times the average global rate (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/10/arctic-tundra-carbon-shift). Some folk may simply see the heating of the tundra, creating further business opportunities. It will be easier to move shipping into and through the area. Deposits of hydrocarbons (oil and methane gas) will be more accessible in areas like Alaska. These, however, will accelerate the melting of the tundra. That may well prove a 'tipping point', from which there's no returning. If this happens, the unique biota (animal and plant life) of the Arctic will be completely destroyed. And the climate consequences prove globally devastating.

Wooden Tops 15. Goat willow

Goat willow wood is a good fuel and can be used to generate charcoal. This wood also makes paper pulp. As it's lightweight and flexible, willow wood is used in the manufacture of basketry, furniture and craft work.

Wooden Tops 14. Gingko biloba

Gingko biloba wood is used for carvings, cutting boards and furniture. It can also make turned objects, such as chess sets.

The Monarch is Dying?

The North American Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) feeds on milkweeds (Asclepias spp). Milkweeds produce a glycoside-containing latex, that's poisonous to cattle and horses. This much loved butterfly undertakes impressive migrations to specific locations, where large groups overwinter. There's now, however, real concern that the Monarch may not survive the burgeoning climate crisis. Consequently, the US Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing Federal protections for this insect. The Endangered Species Act gives specified organisms extensive protections. Broadly it becomes illegal to import or export that species. Possessing, transporting or killing the organism are also actively discouraged. The act wouldn't, however, punish folk for accidental vehicle kills of Monarchs. It would also still allow most farmers to remove Milkweed from their land. The insect also could still be used for educational purposes. The biggest restrictions, would apply to several Californian coastal areas. It's to here, where Western populations of Monarch migrate, to overwinter (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/10/monarch-butterflies-threatened-species-list). It would be a real shame to lose the Monarch butterfly. It's migrations and overwintering gatherings are seen as wonders of the natural world. It's to be hoped, that the US Fish and Wildlife Service protections, will bring this butterfly back from the brink. After all, it's human activity that's endangering the species.

World Leading On the Environment?

There are crimes and CRIMES? The targeting of eco-dissidents is elevating concerns. Globally, there's been a marked rise in suppression of dissenters, as climate, biodiversity and pollution crises all loom. Australia arrests a world-beating circa 20% of its climate and environmental protesters. The UK is in second place, arresting around 17% of its own 'eco-warriors'. This is in spite of popular support for solutions to environmental problems in both countries. The global average for arrests of climate and environmental protesters is said to be 6.7% (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/11/britain-leads-the-world-in-cracking-down-on-climate-activism-study-finds). The apparently much higher levels of arrests of eco-dissidents in Australia and the UK, appear linked to political and 'economic' issues. There's been a well-funded 'backlash' in both countries against environmental concerns, by fossil fuel and other industrial enterprises. Their publics are also being whipped up about the personal 'costs' of 'green' programmes. The actual percentages in this comparison may, however, be somewhat dubious. In many global regions, wars and day-to-day economic survival are more immediate problems for their populations. This leaves little scope for eco-dissidence. What gets labelled as 'climate and environmental protesting', also appears to vary from country to country. In some countries, environmental protesters are often murdered rather than being arrested. Having said all this, both the Australian and UK governments, need to be seen to be doing more to deal with the substantial environmental concerns of large sections of their publics. Draconian laws on protest 'rights' and locking away 'eco-warriors' for extended periods (along with murderers, rapists and thieves) probably aren't real answers.

Wooden Tops 13. Maple

Maple wood is commonly used for heavy-duty flooring, like bowling alleys and dance floors. It's suitable for kitchen tables, butcher blocks and cutting boards. Maple is also a popular choice for high-end furniture and veneers.

Seeing the Changes 2104

Funnel fungi (Clitocybe spp) at Bynea.

Variable Woods

A variety of different woods in a Swedish sampler (given to me after examining a PhD thesis). It fits in with the Woodentops series.

Wooden Tops 12. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus wood is extensively used in Australia as fuel. This timber is also commonly employed in buildings (making support beams etc.) and as fencing.

Where's the Beef (From)?

There's a suggestion that a Free Trade Association (FTA) agreement might now be signed between the UK and US governments. The US officials say an agreement depends on the UK's willingness to take their prime beef. Earlier demands that the UK should take chlorinated chicken and hormone-enhanced beef appear to have been dropped. This all sounds very amenable. This 'offer' is, however, being made just as the US is about to bring in tarrifs on many imports from other countries. The offer hasn't gone down well with UK beef farmers as a) they are likely to be undercut and b) its difficult for anyone to establish that animal welfare conditions are comparable in the two countries. The proposed FTA might even be an attempt to drive a wedge between the UK and the European Union (EU). Once the UK is firmly in a FTA with the US, the junior party would find it even more difficult to align with EU standards. The UK could later be arm-twisted into taking chlorinated chicken and hormone-enhanced beef. Signing an FTA, to avoid potential tarrifs on exports, isn't a strong bargaining position (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/dec/14/us-meat-trump-uk-trade-deal-chlorinated-chicken-hormone-beef). Even if the proposed FTA is completely fair, it hardly makes environmental sense. Most experts think folk should be eating less beef and more vegetables/fruit. This is a much healthier diet and it reduces 'greenhouse gas' emissions of methane and carbon dioxide. The US beef would also have to be refrigerated and shipped to the UK. Yet more emissions are generated in this fashion and the climate crisis gets worse.

Wooden Tops 11. Elder

Elder branches contain a soft pithy core. This can be removed, to create hard, easily-polished, hollow pipes. These are used to manufacture whistles, pipes, bagpipe chanters and other musical instruments.

What the Punter Wants?

It's fairly obvious that the UK has an almost insatible desire for housing. The new government is going to place a mandatory requirement on councils to collectively build a total of 370,000 homes each year. These would monstly be built in the South and South-East of England. The UK Prime Minister has ordained that "a human being wanting to have a house" must take priority over the environment. Consequently, some building will be allowed on 'green belt' sites. The 'green belt' was initially devised to stop the UK's conurbations simply merging into a megacity (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/dec/12/housing-must-take-priority-over-nature-says-starmer-in-green-belt-reform-plan). Building new homes, will currently be a generally popoular move. This process is not, however, infinitely sustainable. There comes a point, where additions of yet more badly-insulated 'brick boxes', reduces everyone's quality of life. In the animal world, a population explosion generally results in a species destroying its own environment. Humans are part of the environment and not a separate entity. The UK actually has lots of housing. Much of it, is inefficiently used. Some people have many homes. Others live in property that's simply too large for them. Fairly obviously, 'brown field' sites (former places with buildings), should (and will?) be prioritised over 'green field' equivalents. It would also be best, however, if most of the new homes ended up being controlled by Housing Associations, rather than being sold to the highest bidder for renting. Destroying the natural environment around towns and cities, also comes at a cost. Human health, both mental and physical, depends on the 'ecoservices' provided by the natural environment. The UK is already the most species-depleted in Europe. It's to be hoped that someone sees the 'bigger picture'.

Wooden Tops 10. Elm

Elm wood is strong and durable, with a tight-twisted grain, making it resistant to water. It's been used to make boats, furniture, wheel hubs, wooden water pipes, floor boards and coffins. Elm wood also lends itself to decorative turning on a lathe.

Cutting Woodland For Bottled Water?

Yorkshire's Harrogate Spring Water is owned by Danone. This company is planning to cut down a woodland of circa 450 trees planted by primary school children almost 20 years ago. Danone wants to expand its bottling factory in Harrogate. Some of the now mature children are upset at the proposed destruction of their handiwork (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/09/harrogate-spring-water-planning-to-cut-down-wood-schoolchildren-bottling-plant. It seems inappropriate to replace trees with an expanded facility for bottling water. Mature trees are needed to help resist the impact of climate change. Increasing the numbers of plastic bottles of water does the complete opposite. Money talks louder than ecology?

Environmentally Illiterate (But We Are Busy 'Saving the World')?

A virtual FIFA congress meeting 'waved through' Saudi Arabia as hosts for 2034's soccer World Cup. That country was the sole candidate. These hosts were 'waved through' in spite of major concerns expressed by human rights groups. There will be deaths of imported 'guest workers' employed in constructions for the event. Concerns have also been expressed about the Kingdom's treatment for women, gay individuals and political dissidents. There's also clearly no tolerance for non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia. They claim to be, unfortunately forced, because they have the holy shrines, to set an example for 'less enlightened' Muslim countries. In spite this, there was the usual nonsense from FIFA head officials about football 'abolishing war' and 'bringing the world together'. Virtually nothing was said, however, about very profound environmental impacts of this 'decision' (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/dec/11/a-vote-without-a-vote-the-saudi-world-cup-is-an-act-of-violence-and-disdain). Saudi Arabia's world cup, will necessitate a massive splurge in construction. New stadia, hotels and transport links (air ports and rail) have to be built. Their construction will use enormous quantities of steel and cement. Production of both these basics, generates substantial amounts of climate-changing 'greenhouse gases'. The elevated ambient temperatures in the Kingdom at the time of the World Cup, also means that air conditioning in stadia and accommodation will be a major concern. Running air conditioning units, also utilises sustantial amounts of electricity. Water will be needed for people and the pitches. Desalination plants are also power-hungry. Virtually all the teams, their support staff, officials, the media, supporters and dignitaries, will have to be jetted into and out of the country. Air travel, is a further very substantial generator of climate-heating emissions. Jet fuel doesn't even carry duty. Buy 'carbon credits' and using solar panels, won't change the basic equation. The whole thing actually looks like a giant advertisement for fossil fuels. A country, that became rich on its oil and gas, appears to have 'purchased' this extragavenza, further boosting its sales. One could call it 'greenwash on an industrial scale'. Pity about the planet?

Wooden Tops 9. Cricket Bat Willow

As the name suggests, Cricket bat willow wood has exactly the right characteristics for the manufacture of cricket bats. It's a lightweight hardwood that's stiff and dense, with excellent impact resistance.

Exercising the Mind?

Physical activity is associated with both improvements in short-term cognitive function and reduced dementia risk. University College London researchers have now studied 76 adults, aged 50-83 for 8 days. These subjects wore accelerometers, to track their sleep and exercise. They were also given daily online tests, assessing their attention, memory and processing speed. A 5% potential increase in the subject's memory scores, was noted on days following as little as 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise, combined with at least 6 hours of sleep (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/dec/10/exercise-improves-memory-walk-cycle). These memory improvements are probably due to the excercise stimulating blood flow to the brain and/or increasing levels of neurotransmitters. This study confirms that physical exercise helps maintain neural functioning. Exercise your body and you are improving your mind!

Wooden Tops 8. Lime

Lime wood is a popular choice in furniture manufacture as it's easy to work with, resists warping and takes a good polish. It's also used to make piano keys and sounding boards, as well as bodies of guitars and bases. Lime wood has proved popular with carving aristocracy like Grinling Gibbons. As this material is lightweight but strong, it's often been used to make window blinds and shutters.

Being Prepared?

Periodically, UK folk are urged to prepare themselves to be able to deal with emergencies. They are told to stock up with canned food and bottled water for several days. They are also advised to acquire torches and a battery-powered radio. The aftermath of storm Darragh provided many UK citizens with a 'taster' emergency, by removing their electricity supplies. Journalist Gaby Hinsliff's relatively mature family live in Oxfordshire. They were only 'cut-off' from mains electricity for a relatively short period. She opines, however, they were markedly underprepared for the event. This was in spite of having access to old camping equipment and candles. Neither will be true for many folk (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/10/storm-darragh-power-cuts-britain). Candles for lighting, no central heating, no ability to send an email or to recharge a mobile phone. Freezer food rapidly thawing. The situation, she notes will be worse for many people. Some folk will be 'cut-off' for much longer. They may have no heating or cooking facilities (here, a major specialist store ran out of camping cookers and gas canisters in a few hours!). What about folk with a small baby, having to prepare regular bottles of formula milk? What about people, with medical conditions, necessitating refrigeration of drugs or using electrically-operated equipment? Even, without wars or cyber-attacks, extreme weather events are increasing in intensity and frequency. These will pose more challenges. In the UK, most people no longer can read a map, make basic unaided calculations or use manual tools. Unless they have access to a working mobile phone, many don't even know the time. Many people no longer have, or read, books. Things seem rather different in the US. There, at least 20 million Americans are 'preppers'. Prepping is big business. Its advocates acquire the materials, equipment and skills for potentially surviving 'doomsday' scenarios (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/dec/10/doomsday-prepping-america). This life style choice, may be a natural response to 'a hollowed out State', where people often have to provide for themselves and their families. It sounds a bit extreme but the UK might benefit from at least some preparation and alternative skills development.

Don't Mention Climate Change?

Desertification is on the march! Ignoring Antarctica (for obvious reasons), drylands now account for 40% of the Earth's entire land surface. The increasing drylands reduces agricultural productivity, markedly damaging a country's gross domestic product (its wealth). This is especially happening in Africa and Asia. A UN Science Policy Interface conference is considering this challenge. This conference is being hosted by Saudi Arabia, a famously arid country. Bizarrely, the hosts have appeared reluctant to mention global heating and climate change (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/09/drylands-now-make-up-40-of-land-on-earth-excluding-antarctica-study-says). This reticence might possibly be related to Saudi's massive fossil fuel production? Desertification is encouraged by climate change. Increased rainfall, in a new area, doesn't rapidly convert former desert into prime agricultural land. When a drought ends, in formerly productive areas, that land doesn't return to its former condition, when re-watered. The result is a largely permanent increase in drylands. Oil and gas 'greenhouse gas' emissions drive desertification. This needs to be admitted.

Wooden Tops 7. Blackthorn

Blackthorn wood was traditionally used to make walking sticks and tool parts. It's also an effective firewood. The tree also supplies a wealth of tonics and syrups, claimed to help digestive complaints and ease rheumatism.

Wooden Tops 6. Poplar

Poplar wood has always proved popular as a frame for upholstered furniture. Pallets, boxes and crates are also frequently made from it. Poplar wood is also used for toys, carvings and plywood.

Extreme Heat May Be More Fatal For the Young?

Older folk are said to be more susceptible to heat waves. It's, consequently, been assumed that extreme heat, fuelled by global warming, will particularly endanger this age group. A study, published in Science Advances, however, casts doubt on this conclusion. Mexico has extensive heat-related mortality records and high 'wet bulb' temperatures. 'Wet bulb' measurements take in high humidities. In the 20 years preceeding 2019 in Mexico, 75% of deaths from elevated temperatures were actually in people under 35 years of age. Almost all cold-related deaths, were in folk older than 50. The study's data suggests that, as the world heats up (assuming there's no radical cut in 'greenhouse gas'emissions), there's likely to be, this century, a more than 30% increase in deaths of people under 35. The number of cold-related deaths is actually likely to decline. Global heating will, consequently, 'flip' mortality data to favour older folk over their younger counterparts (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/06/young-adults-heat-related-deaths-climate-crisis). Subjects under 35 are not, however, a homogeneous group. Babies are more susceptible to heat, as they don't efficiently sweat. Whereas, many folk in their 20's and 30's, are likely to be working in agriculture or construction. These types of work expose participants to elevated temperatures for extended periods. Babies and outdoor manual workers are both likely to suffer most from global heating.

Wooden Tops 5. Beech

Beech wood is very hard and straight-grained. It's consequently used to make cabinets, cooking utensils, furniture, tool handles and sports equipment. As it holds a tone, its also used for piano pin-blocks and for making drums. Beech is also a component of plywood.

Golden Oldies?

As social animals get older, they often gain a richer understanding of their environments. They often use this information for the benefit of their group. The information is, in deed, often passed on to younger group members. Unfortunately, however, older animals tend to be 'harvested' by hunters. They have more meat and/or possess the largests horns, antlers or tusks. Oldster elimination can have significant negative impacts on group culture and social structures. It also removes knowledge of favourable and dangerous locations. Some researchers now advocate longevity conservation where more mature animals are left in place (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/06/saving-old-and-wise-animals-vital-for-species-survival-say-scientists-longevity-conservation). Longevity conservation could have benefits, so long as it's done properly. Age alone shouldn't be the sole criterion. Otherwise decrepit animals might be conserved rather than counterparts who could really benefit the group. Perhaps, there's still utility for ancient humans like myself?

Red Alert At Night: Little Delight?

Storm Darragh generated a night-time red alert from the Met Office. Mobile phones, carried (even when switched off) a siren noise and a detailed warning message. Red alerts signal a real danger to life and advice to, if at all possible, stay indoors. This storm, with its 90 mph winds, wrecked havoc across South-West England and Southern Wales. Many folk, throughout the UK, were subject to prolonged power cuts. Travel on roads, trains and planes was profoundly disrupted. Christmas and sports fixtures were postponed or cancelled. Some folk, however, have complained about the actual warning. They claim it was dangerously disturbing and they actually knew about the storm. Some have even blamed the government (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2024/dec/07/storm-darragh-uk-weather-warning-wind-met-office-latest-news). Not everyone will have kept abreast with the weather forecast. People seem to complain when they are warned or not warned quickly enough. Sadly, however, climate change is likely to result in red alerts, becoming more frequent here. Luckily for UK folk, they don't (yet?) live in a hurricane-prone zone. There, such alarms signal an urgent need to move to specialist, constructed refuges. People, subject to repeated air attacks, also have to rapidly familiarise themselves to warning messages! Let's hope those don't become a feature in the UK!

Wooden Tops 4. Aspen

Aspen wood is attractive, lightweight and straight-grained. It's also easy to work with and is resistant to splitting. Insect etching, sometimes generates attractive patterns on logs. This combination of features, means aspen wood is often used to create distinctive log furniture.

Seeing Reds?

The Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is Europe's indigenous squirrel. Its Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) cousin, was originally found in North America. Greys were introduced as novelties into the grounds of UK stately homes. The first such introduction was in 1876. There were circa 30 introductions between then and 1930, when the practice was finally declared illegal. Grey squirrels cause damage to conifer plantations. They also decimate Red squirrel populations in most parts of the UK. As greys are larger than Red squirrels, they out-compete them. Grey squirrels also kill reds by passing on Squirrel pox. The reds are much more susceptible to this virus. The Red Squirrels Northern England (RSNE) group carries out squirrel surveys in 250 areas where reds are still found. The group's most recent survey found that numbers were rising in both species. The rise, however, was much more marked for the greys. This is despite considerable conservation efforts being directed to the reds (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/03/substantial-increase-in-grey-squirrels-in-england-is-concerning-campaigners-say). This RSHE survey data is worrying. Red squirrels continue to be pressured by the greys, even in their remaining North England strongholds. Perhaps we will eventually only see English Red squirrels in segregated island populations such as Brownsea Island and the Isle of Wight? Another fine mess stately home gardeners got us into!

Wooden Tops 3. Ash

In years gone by, ash wood was used for carts, coaches, farm implements and skis. It's currently used to make flooring and handles for tools, as well as hockey sticks, oars and sports rackets.

A Master Class in Greenwashing?

Coca Cola is a brand producing much of the planet's plastic pollution. Its 'pledges' however, have very short lives. In 2022, the company promised that, by 2030, 25% of its drinks would come in refillable or returnable glass or plastic containers. These refillable contains could be taken to special Coca cola 'fountains'. Coca cola appear to have quietly dropped this 'pledge'. They now 'aim' to use 35-40% recycled material in their 'primary packaging'. Apparently, 30-35% of this will be recycled plastic (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/03/coca-cola-accused-dropping-reusable-packaging-target). Coca cola's 'aims' and 'pledges' appear to be infinitely 'moveable feasts'. Some folk regard their statement as 'a master class in greenwashing'. It's uncertain, however, if anyone currently takes them seriously?

Wooden Tops 2. Alder

Alder wood is soft and porous but, in water, it resists rotting. It's kept wet to maintain its durability. In early times Alder wood was used to construct boats, sluice gates and water pipes. Currently, it's used for wood veneers, pulp and plywood.