native

Scientists planted 40,000 native seedlings in Yosemite’s damaged Tuolumne Meadows; three years later, soil organic matter was improving, but the meadow was still losing more carbon than it gained

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Scientists planted 40,000 native seedlings in Yosemite's damaged Tuolumne Meadows; three years later, soil organic matter was improving, but the meadow was still losing more carbon than it gained

Native sedges growing in a wet meadow (Representational photo) Scientists who planted 40,000 native sedge seedling to restore the damaged Tuolumne Meadows in California’s Yosemite National Park, have found early signs of improvement after. The results, however, also show that restoring the meadow’s soil and its ability to store carbon could take several decades. Three … Read more

After goats were removed in the 1990s and cats in 2001, Klein Curacao island restored native plants, helping nine bird species breed by 2022

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After goats were removed in the 1990s and cats in 2001, Klein Curacao island restored native plants, helping nine bird species breed by 2022

Klein Curacao, a flat 130-hectare coral island about 10 km southeast of Curacao, was left bare by guano mining and overgrazing by goats and sheep. Feral goats were removed in the 1990s and cats in October 2001, while native planting ran from 2000 to 2005. For decades, the Least Tern was the only seabird confirmed … Read more

From 1946, NSW planted South African bitou bush to stabilise coastal sand dunes; decades later it had spread along 46% of the state’s coastline and threatened native ecosystems

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From 1946, NSW planted South African bitou bush to stabilise coastal sand dunes; decades later it had spread along 46% of the state's coastline and threatened native ecosystems

Representative Image (AI-generated) A plant introduced with a practical purpose along the New South Wales (NSW) coast eventually became a major environmental weed. South African bitou bush was deliberately planted along the NSW coastline between 1946 and 1968 to help stabilise sand dunes, according to the NSW Environment and Heritage department. The fast-growing shrub later … Read more

Illinois volunteers removed invasive plants from 43 acres; they then planted nearly 9,000 native plugs and more than 1,100 pounds of seed

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Illinois volunteers removed invasive plants from 43 acres; they then planted nearly 9,000 native plugs and more than 1,100 pounds of seed

PC: US Fish and Wildlife Service In northeast Illinois, the Greenbelt Forest Preserve covers 607 acres between North Chicago and Waukegan. Invasive plants, including teasel, Canada thistle, canary grass, buckthorn and common reed, have displaced native vegetation there. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, working with the Lake County Forest Preserve District and … Read more

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Nile perch were introduced into Lake Victoria to improve fisheries; decades later the predator was linked to the loss of many native cichlids and transformation of the lake’s fishery

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In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Nile perch were introduced into Lake Victoria to improve fisheries; decades later the predator was linked to the loss of many native cichlids and transformation of the lake’s fishery

Nile PerchPhoto: Wikipedia In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Nile perch were introduced into Lake Victoria with the hope that the large predatory fish would strengthen local fisheries. The decision was intended to create new commercial opportunities and increase the supply of valuable fish. Instead, the species spread through one of the world’s largest … Read more

A Maryland couple bought 116 acres as a hunting property; 20 years later, they had replaced crops with native grasses, wildflowers and trees and permanently protected the land for wildlife

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A Maryland couple bought 116 acres as a hunting property; 20 years later, they had replaced crops with native grasses, wildflowers and trees and permanently protected the land for wildlife

Photo Credit: ESLC via easternshoreundercover.com When Louise and John Durocher bought 116 acres in Kent County, Maryland, the property was intended primarily as a hunting retreat. Over the next two decades, however, the couple gradually changed its purpose. They stopped growing crops and began restoring the fields with native grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and trees. They … Read more

New Zealand spent 14 years removing pests and weeds from Abel Tasman; the national park now has flourishing native wildlife and restored forest

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New Zealand spent 14 years removing pests and weeds from Abel Tasman; the national park now has flourishing native wildlife and restored forest

AI Representational Image The Abel Tasman National Park can still look much as visitors might expect from a New Zealand wilderness: forest, rivers, beaches and a coastline opening onto the sea. Yet beneath that familiar scenery, the park has undergone a long ecological repair. According to the Project Janszoon official website it began in 2012, … Read more

In 1910, Oregon planted European beachgrass to stabilize shifting dunes; it spread along the coast, reshaped the landscape and squeezed open sandy habitat used by native wildlife

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In 1910, Oregon planted European beachgrass to stabilize shifting dunes; it spread along the coast, reshaped the landscape and squeezed open sandy habitat used by native wildlife

European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) is now well established in the Oregon dunes In 1910, Oregon introduced European beachgrass near Coos Bay to stabilise its shifting dunes. The plant trapped moving sand and helped hold the dunes in place as it was meant to. But as the beachgrass spread, it changed the coastal landscape and reduced … Read more

In 1957, a South American moth was released in the Caribbean to control prickly pear; by 1989 it had reached Florida and was attacking native and endangered cacti

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In 1957, a South American moth was released in the Caribbean to control prickly pear; by 1989 it had reached Florida and was attacking native and endangered cacti

According to scientists, the South American cactus moth primarily attacks Opuntia species, commonly known as prickly pear cactus. It can also occasionally affect Nopalea, Cylindropuntia and Consolea species. A pest once deliberately moved around the world to solve an agricultural problem has become a problem of its own. According to a report by the USDA’s … Read more

Ann Hammond spent years restoring her 12-acre Iowa property with native habitat; years later, a federally endangered bumblebee appeared among her flowers

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Ann Hammond spent years restoring her 12-acre Iowa property with native habitat; years later, a federally endangered bumblebee appeared among her flowers

Representative image Image credits: Wikimedia Commons For years, Ann Hammond worked to transform her 12-acre Iowa property into a welcoming place for native plants and wildlife. The effort eventually brought an extraordinary visitor to her flowers: a rusty patched bumblebee, a species listed as federally endangered in the United States. As reported by Iowa Public … Read more