Most Interesting Findings
Invasive species can be defined as any species of plant or animal that inhabits an area in which it is non-native. An invasive species usually is considered to be one that adversely affects the habitat they invade on many levels.
One of the currently alarming examples of invasive species is in the Florida everglades region of the United States. Over the last several years pet pythons and boas which were once pets have been released into the everglades after the snakes get too big for their owners to take care of, or when their owner gets tired of them. This has lead to large non-native snakes roaming the everglades with a healthy food source and few predators. This has allowed the released snakes to grow at a rapid rate and now is becoming a problem for communities which reside in the area.
The snake problem in the everglades has grown to a point now that Florida communities have formed special units in their animal control divisions in which to handle the high number of snake related calls they receive yearly. Pythons and boas ranging for a few feet to fifteen feet are now encountered on a regular basis in Florida. As time goes by, these snakes will only get larger and ones reaching their full size will be common in the future.
While the invasive snake species has resulted from the pet industry in the USA, other invasive species have come from different industries. The current Snakehead problem in America water is another alarming issue which has caused entire lakes to be poisoned, killing off all wildlife in the lake just to try and curb the problem.
Known as Channidae, they are a freshwater fish from Africa and Asia. The Giant Snakehead can reach more than 1 meter in length. Imported to the USA and sold live as a food source or for aquariums, snakeheads are well known to break out of any enclosed space. Since they have the ability to breathe air and cross short stretches on land, they have become a serious problem in the USA. Currently, Snakeheads are illegal in the USA.
These are just two examples of invasive species. Invasive species is a broad term and does not solely encompass animals, plants as well can be an invasive species and several examples do exist. Regardless, most invasive species resulted from man. The pet industry creates a lot of this problem by importing species around the globe for pet owners, which often as a result of unable or unwilling to continue the care for these animals release them in the local area. The food industry is also to blame, in some cases such as the snakehead importing them live for food, but in many cases stowaways find their way in shipments of other products.
While many other species have invaded new territory, the one species which is certainly the most dangerous is Homo sapiens. Invading every part of the explored planet, Homo sapiens have destroyed more native animals, habitat, and caused more animals to become endangered or extinct than any other animal on this planet.
Homo sapiens still continue to destroy the planet at an alarming rate, while other animals are defend less against them. While Homo sapiens have a high intelligence for technology, they serious lack understanding of the planet they share with all of animals. This lack of knowledge and awareness has led to vast parts of the planet destroyed and poisoned.
Sara is the editor of World Zoo Today. Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
Tags: animal, animals, food source, importing, Our Pets, pets, species, wildlife, world zoo today, zoos
Posted in Our Pets · November 18th, 2009 · Comments (0)
The many fans of watching local birds can now turn their passion into meaningful research through Project FeederWatch. Facilitated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Project FeederWatch involves volunteers across the nation helping scientists monitor bird life in North America. The final result is a comprehensive report and publication.
Sign ups for the project take place from March 1st to the end of February and the actual observations occur from November through early April. Birdwatchers are instructed to count the types and number of birds in an area at a certain point in time. This approach keeps participants from counting a bird multiple times and allows for flexibility in scheduling.
There is a $15 annual participation fee which covers the majority of the expense of the entire project. Participants receive a research kit which includes instructions, a bird identification poster, a wall calendar, a resource guide to bird feeding, and a tally sheet. U.S. participants also receive a subscription to the Lab of Ornithology’s newsletter.
Information gathered by Project FeederWatch appears in science journals and is studied by scientists and bird enthusiasts throughout the country. Those who participate are contributing to valuable research and the conservation of bird species. They also gain a better understanding of local birds that frequent the neighborhood.
FeederWatch is definitely an equal opportunity event. Participants come from every background and walk of life: Retired persons, youth organizations, nature centers, birdwatching clubs, kids, school classes, and individuals. Learning opportunities abound for both groups and families. The bottom line is that anyone who admires birds is welcome to join.
Participants are free to choose how much time they invest. Organizers of the project provide many options for when and how long to count birds. As the main approach is to provide numbers for a set span of time, those with busy schedules and small amounts of recreational time can still provide meaningful results.
Picking a spot to count birds is up to the discretion of participants. Areas of the yard that include a birdhouse or bird feeder are a logical choice, but by no means the rule. Those who love to watch birds will have a good idea of where to find them. Instructions provided by the project will also include guidelines on how to identify good areas for counting.
Being a FeederWatcher provides multiple rewards for those who enjoy birding. Participants are given a unique opportunity to closely observe birds and help in their conservation at the same time. Project materials sent to the counters also make a nice bonus.
Follow this link to treat your wild birds to a bird feeder or birdhouse. To study more about Project FeederWatch, visit http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/ Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service
Tags: birding, birdwatching, nature, Outdoors, wildlife, yard
Posted in Outdoors · November 15th, 2009 · Comments (0)