May. 3rd, 2006

urbpan: (wading)
I wrote here about mass extinctions recently, and I think I wasn't clear in the discussion that followed in the comments. We are currently involved in the sixth mass extinction event in the history of life on earth. What makes it different from the others?

Of course, you might say that if Earth has recovered from five waves of species loss in the prehistoric past, what’s the big deal this time round? Well, it is being driven by a single species, while the other five were triggered by climatic upheavals. And it’s up to that single species — us — to decide the fate of the biosphere for the next five million years, which is the minimum time it takes to replace species after a mass extinction.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1665204,00120003.htm

I know as an environmentalist I'm among the doomsayers, but I find the figure of 5 million years to be encouraging, if optimistic.
urbpan: (dandelion)


Urban species #122: Celandine Chelidonium majus

Celandine (or "greater celandine," to distinguish it from the unrelated "lesser celandine") is an early weed with glossy yellow flowers. The appearance of its flowers and fruit suggests a large mustard, but it is actually in the poppy family. It is believed to have been introduced into North America from Europe, for its use in herbal medicine. It has applications for skin problems and liver ailments. Perhaps not coincidentally, it has also been blamed for causing skin irritation, and liver poisoning. This plant is considered invasive in some states, but has an interesting limitation: it can only occur in areas that have ants, as it requires these insects to transport its seeds.

Expandclose up of flower and fruit )

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