one day I might turn the deliciously creepy forms of the Himalayan balsam into scifi spaceships
one day I might turn the deliciously creepy forms of the Himalayan balsam into scifi spaceships
Astonished to learn that the Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus established itself in Northern European streams and along the coasts only 6000 years ago. On an evolutionary time scale, that's NOW, which means that the sturgeon is an invasive species. It was driven regionally extinct in Sweden 100 years ago, yet now they're restoring the population!? Sturgeon = kudzu!
I guess the distinction is that of nature vs. culture.
And to critics who argue that trapping, neutering, and releasing feral cats is better than culling them, Bailey has a blunt response: "They're killing our native birds and not shagging them."
That’s quoted from a good article this morning by Farah Hancock on #RNZ, on NZ’s big problem with feral cats and the social tension around what to do with them. “Predator-free” without dealing with feral cats makes no sense.
And to critics who argue that trapping, neutering, and releasing feral cats is better than culling them, Bailey has a blunt response: "They're killing our native birds and not shagging them."
That’s quoted from a good article this morning by Farah Hancock on #RNZ, on NZ’s big problem with feral cats and the social tension around what to do with them. “Predator-free” without dealing with feral cats makes no sense.
Did you know that domestic cats are the #1 killer of our imperiled native birds? In the US alone they kill 2.4 billion birds each year. More than any other human caused threat, by a long shot.
They may make nice pets, but they top the International Union for Conservation's list of nature's most destructive invasive species.
If you're an environmentalist, a birder, or you just love nature, keep that kitty indoors.
https://abcbirds.org/program/cats-indoors/cats-and-birds/
#cat #cats #catsofmastodon #invasivespecies #conservation #naturalist #birding #endangeredspecies
If you'd like to learn more about the eye-popping ecological impacts that unchecked domestic cats have, check out this free webinar from Missouri River Bird Observatory, one of my favorite nonprofits. These webinars are a public service, there's no fee and you don't have to be from Missouri.
https://bit.ly/catsOctober2025
#cat
#cats
#catsofmastodon
#invasivespecies
#conservation
#naturalist
#birding
#endangeredspecies
#Missouri #Free #Webinar #MissouriRiverBirdObservatory #MRBO
Did you know that domestic cats are the #1 killer of our imperiled native birds? In the US alone they kill 2.4 billion birds each year. More than any other human caused threat, by a long shot.
They may make nice pets, but they top the International Union for Conservation's list of nature's most destructive invasive species.
If you're an environmentalist, a birder, or you just love nature, keep that kitty indoors.
https://abcbirds.org/program/cats-indoors/cats-and-birds/
#cat #cats #catsofmastodon #invasivespecies #conservation #naturalist #birding #endangeredspecies
One more for the #InvasiveSpecies topic, and then I'll be moving on to other subjects!
Garlic Mustard - Eat It to Beat It!
• Young tender leaves can be torn up a bit and added to salads.
• Sautee garlic in olive oil or sesame oil or bacon grease; add chopped garlic
mustard and other greens if available (garlic chives, spinach, arugula,
lambsquarters, mustard greens, what-have-you); a little salt or soy sauce; add a bit of water or stock and cook gently. A dash of vinegar, balsamic or otherwise, may be in order. Taste and decide. This could be spread on toast, added to casseroles, eggs, quiche, stir-fries, etc.
• Garlic mustard pesto: crush garlic, slice up garlic mustard and also garlic chives if
available, puree both in food processor with olive oil and walnuts (or pine nuts);
add parmesan cheese. Start the water for pasta!
• Cream sauce: heat 1/4 cup oil and add 1/4 cup flour and cook; add hot milk.
Separately cook finely chopped garlic mustard in a little sesame oil; and tamari or soy sauce. Add some of the sauce; puree in food processor and add back to the sauce. Add cheese as desired. Good on stuffed grape leaves for one.
• With leftover garlic mustard sauce, add a little yogurt, balsamic vinegar, and tamari and serve as a sauce for steamed asparagus. [That sounds really good!]
Read more [PDF, includes recipes]:
https://www.woodcountywi.gov/Departments/LandConservation/Brochures/Garlic%20Mustard%20Recipes.pdf
Can #Italy eat its way out of a #BlueCrab infestation?
September 4, 2023
Excerpt: "Italians are turning the killer crustaceans into a culinary delicacy, introducing them into risotto, pasta dishes and even salads.
"Italian farmers’ group Coldiretti suggests serving the blue crab with rosemary in a salad, or with sauteed garlic over spaghetti.
" 'These are some of the dishes recommended by chefs, fishermen and farmers of [Coldiretti] to fight the invasion of the sea killer, which is devastating the national coasts with damage into the millions of euros,' the group said in a statement in support of harvesting and selling the invasive crabs.
" 'The goal is to help contain the excessive diffusion of the crab, which is taking over the seabed of our coasts, identifying economic opportunities for the hard-hit territories.'
"Marine biologists say warmer seawater and above average temperatures mean that the crabs are thriving – and taking over.
"They’ve already been found all along Italy’s vast coastline and even in the Po Delta, a UNESCO heritage site known for its vongole veraci clam variety, which has been largely obliterated this summer.
" 'Usually when the water temperatures drop below 10 C (50 F), this variety of crab doesn’t survive,' Enridca Franchi, a marine biologist and researcher with the University of Siena, says. 'But now the crab finds the ideal temperature 12 months of the year.' "
Read more:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/how-italy-is-solving-an-invasion-of-blue-crabs/
#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChange #ClimateChangeAdaptation #BlueCrabs #InvasiveSpecies
Look Out for Invasive Crab!
The #GreenCrab is invading from the west coast and has recently reached #Alaska.
"What is a green crab?
The green crab is considered one of the most invasive species in the marine environment. It has few predators, aggressively hunts and eats its prey, destroys seagrass, and outcompetes local species for food and habitat. It has been documented that green crab devour juvenile king crab as well as juvenile salmon. They also destroy eelgrass habitat that larval fish use to hide from predators, and outcompete Dungeness crabs for food and habitat. Green crab could potentially damage Alaska’s multi-billion dollar fisheries industries, especially for salmon, crab, and mariculture operations. Resource managers in Alaska have been keeping an eye on the invasive crab’s northward movement for years.
How did they get here?
Green crabs were first introduced to North America in the 1800s, likely hitching a ride in the ballast water of merchant ships from Europe. Experts believe the invasive crab was transported to the West Coast in ballast water as well. They may also be transported with shellfish, equipment, or packing materials in aquaculture operations. Larval green crabs can also spread from one invaded area to another in ocean currents. On July 19, 2022, the Metlakatla Indian Community Department of Fish & Wildlife confirmed the first observation of the invasive green crabs in the State of Alaska on Annette Islands Reserve. This map shows the range of green crab throughout the world with their native range in blue and all other colors indicating areas they invaded or have the potential to spread.
What can I do to help?
In cooperation with NOAA Fisheries and the ADF&G Invasive Species Program, MIC DFW has implemented eradication protocols by increasing trapping efforts, working with partners to collect data and samples for research, and expanding monitoring and outreach on the reserve and throughout southern Southeast Alaska. We need your help to identify invasive green crabs on your local beaches and notify local officials and the ADF&G Invasive Species Hotline.
Where should I look?
Green crabs live on rocky shores, cobble beaches, sandflats and tidal marshes. They can often be found near eelgrass beds or other shoreline vegetation. Green crabs tolerate a wide range of water salinity and temperature. They can also survive upstream of river mouths in some estuarine environments. When you’re out on the beach, Look Out for Invasive European Green Crab.
How do I identify a green crab?
Find the 5 spines! The best way to identify green crab is to count the spines. There are 5 spines behind the eye on each side of the shell. Also see the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve's Crab Identification Guide.
Green crabs are not always green! The top of the shell may be mottled dark brown to dark green, with small yellow patches. The bottom may be orange or red during molting. Green crabs can be identified by their unique shell shape. Adult shells can be up to 4 inches across.
Report it!
Take lots of photos of the crab with a coin, key, or other standard sized item for scale. Report your sightings via the ADF&G Invasive Species Reporter or by calling the Invasive Species Hotline: (877) INVASIV ((877) 468-2748). If you locate invasive green crab on Annette Islands Reserve, you can call (907) 886-FISH to make a report."
Source:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/habitat-conservation/look-out-invasive-crab
#SolarPunkSunday #InvasiveSpecies #CitizenScience #Alaska #GreenCrabs #ClimateChange
#Maine's invasive #GreenCrabs aren't going anywhere, so why not eat them?
Maine's coast is overrun by invasive green crabs, which harm natural nurseries for lobster larvae and eat clam beds. Fishermen are looking to turn them into food.
By Jack Molmud, June 26, 2023
Excerpt: "To the year, Masi's crew is hauling in around 5,000 pounds of live green crabs. They said more could easily be harvested, but they are still looking for more buyers.
"One buyer in Portsmouth, Row 34, is using the soft-shell green crab to make a slider.
"Josh Peck, the chef at Row 34, said it's getting customers talking.
" 'We sell a fair amount of them,' Peck said. 'There is no lack of sustainability with the green crab.'
"But while the thousands of pounds of green crabs are shipped to restaurants and bait dealers around New England, Masi, and his crew hope that number will only grow. The summer months are moving on, and the crabs are stopping the molting process, which produces the soft shell.
" 'It's a start. You got to start somewhere,' Masi said."
#SolarPunkSunday #InvasiveSpecies #WhatsForDinner #ChangingClimate #ClimateChange #ClimateChangeAdaptation
One more for the #InvasiveSpecies topic, and then I'll be moving on to other subjects!
Garlic Mustard - Eat It to Beat It!
• Young tender leaves can be torn up a bit and added to salads.
• Sautee garlic in olive oil or sesame oil or bacon grease; add chopped garlic
mustard and other greens if available (garlic chives, spinach, arugula,
lambsquarters, mustard greens, what-have-you); a little salt or soy sauce; add a bit of water or stock and cook gently. A dash of vinegar, balsamic or otherwise, may be in order. Taste and decide. This could be spread on toast, added to casseroles, eggs, quiche, stir-fries, etc.
• Garlic mustard pesto: crush garlic, slice up garlic mustard and also garlic chives if
available, puree both in food processor with olive oil and walnuts (or pine nuts);
add parmesan cheese. Start the water for pasta!
• Cream sauce: heat 1/4 cup oil and add 1/4 cup flour and cook; add hot milk.
Separately cook finely chopped garlic mustard in a little sesame oil; and tamari or soy sauce. Add some of the sauce; puree in food processor and add back to the sauce. Add cheese as desired. Good on stuffed grape leaves for one.
• With leftover garlic mustard sauce, add a little yogurt, balsamic vinegar, and tamari and serve as a sauce for steamed asparagus. [That sounds really good!]
Read more [PDF, includes recipes]:
https://www.woodcountywi.gov/Departments/LandConservation/Brochures/Garlic%20Mustard%20Recipes.pdf
Can #Italy eat its way out of a #BlueCrab infestation?
September 4, 2023
Excerpt: "Italians are turning the killer crustaceans into a culinary delicacy, introducing them into risotto, pasta dishes and even salads.
"Italian farmers’ group Coldiretti suggests serving the blue crab with rosemary in a salad, or with sauteed garlic over spaghetti.
" 'These are some of the dishes recommended by chefs, fishermen and farmers of [Coldiretti] to fight the invasion of the sea killer, which is devastating the national coasts with damage into the millions of euros,' the group said in a statement in support of harvesting and selling the invasive crabs.
" 'The goal is to help contain the excessive diffusion of the crab, which is taking over the seabed of our coasts, identifying economic opportunities for the hard-hit territories.'
"Marine biologists say warmer seawater and above average temperatures mean that the crabs are thriving – and taking over.
"They’ve already been found all along Italy’s vast coastline and even in the Po Delta, a UNESCO heritage site known for its vongole veraci clam variety, which has been largely obliterated this summer.
" 'Usually when the water temperatures drop below 10 C (50 F), this variety of crab doesn’t survive,' Enridca Franchi, a marine biologist and researcher with the University of Siena, says. 'But now the crab finds the ideal temperature 12 months of the year.' "
Read more:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/how-italy-is-solving-an-invasion-of-blue-crabs/
#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChange #ClimateChangeAdaptation #BlueCrabs #InvasiveSpecies
Look Out for Invasive Crab!
The #GreenCrab is invading from the west coast and has recently reached #Alaska.
"What is a green crab?
The green crab is considered one of the most invasive species in the marine environment. It has few predators, aggressively hunts and eats its prey, destroys seagrass, and outcompetes local species for food and habitat. It has been documented that green crab devour juvenile king crab as well as juvenile salmon. They also destroy eelgrass habitat that larval fish use to hide from predators, and outcompete Dungeness crabs for food and habitat. Green crab could potentially damage Alaska’s multi-billion dollar fisheries industries, especially for salmon, crab, and mariculture operations. Resource managers in Alaska have been keeping an eye on the invasive crab’s northward movement for years.
How did they get here?
Green crabs were first introduced to North America in the 1800s, likely hitching a ride in the ballast water of merchant ships from Europe. Experts believe the invasive crab was transported to the West Coast in ballast water as well. They may also be transported with shellfish, equipment, or packing materials in aquaculture operations. Larval green crabs can also spread from one invaded area to another in ocean currents. On July 19, 2022, the Metlakatla Indian Community Department of Fish & Wildlife confirmed the first observation of the invasive green crabs in the State of Alaska on Annette Islands Reserve. This map shows the range of green crab throughout the world with their native range in blue and all other colors indicating areas they invaded or have the potential to spread.
What can I do to help?
In cooperation with NOAA Fisheries and the ADF&G Invasive Species Program, MIC DFW has implemented eradication protocols by increasing trapping efforts, working with partners to collect data and samples for research, and expanding monitoring and outreach on the reserve and throughout southern Southeast Alaska. We need your help to identify invasive green crabs on your local beaches and notify local officials and the ADF&G Invasive Species Hotline.
Where should I look?
Green crabs live on rocky shores, cobble beaches, sandflats and tidal marshes. They can often be found near eelgrass beds or other shoreline vegetation. Green crabs tolerate a wide range of water salinity and temperature. They can also survive upstream of river mouths in some estuarine environments. When you’re out on the beach, Look Out for Invasive European Green Crab.
How do I identify a green crab?
Find the 5 spines! The best way to identify green crab is to count the spines. There are 5 spines behind the eye on each side of the shell. Also see the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve's Crab Identification Guide.
Green crabs are not always green! The top of the shell may be mottled dark brown to dark green, with small yellow patches. The bottom may be orange or red during molting. Green crabs can be identified by their unique shell shape. Adult shells can be up to 4 inches across.
Report it!
Take lots of photos of the crab with a coin, key, or other standard sized item for scale. Report your sightings via the ADF&G Invasive Species Reporter or by calling the Invasive Species Hotline: (877) INVASIV ((877) 468-2748). If you locate invasive green crab on Annette Islands Reserve, you can call (907) 886-FISH to make a report."
Source:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/habitat-conservation/look-out-invasive-crab
#SolarPunkSunday #InvasiveSpecies #CitizenScience #Alaska #GreenCrabs #ClimateChange
#Maine's invasive #GreenCrabs aren't going anywhere, so why not eat them?
Maine's coast is overrun by invasive green crabs, which harm natural nurseries for lobster larvae and eat clam beds. Fishermen are looking to turn them into food.
By Jack Molmud, June 26, 2023
Excerpt: "To the year, Masi's crew is hauling in around 5,000 pounds of live green crabs. They said more could easily be harvested, but they are still looking for more buyers.
"One buyer in Portsmouth, Row 34, is using the soft-shell green crab to make a slider.
"Josh Peck, the chef at Row 34, said it's getting customers talking.
" 'We sell a fair amount of them,' Peck said. 'There is no lack of sustainability with the green crab.'
"But while the thousands of pounds of green crabs are shipped to restaurants and bait dealers around New England, Masi, and his crew hope that number will only grow. The summer months are moving on, and the crabs are stopping the molting process, which produces the soft shell.
" 'It's a start. You got to start somewhere,' Masi said."
#SolarPunkSunday #InvasiveSpecies #WhatsForDinner #ChangingClimate #ClimateChange #ClimateChangeAdaptation
After a little delay our latest video is out, this time introducing our Wilder Mira hub in the Mira basin, Portugal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-FYD8uQLdg#Rewilding#MossyEarth#Portugal#Mira#Nature#Biodiversity#Ecosystems#Ecology#Eucalyptus#InvasiveSpecies
Here are a couple of vine weeds to watch out for at the moment that are still uncommon but actively spreading around Ōtautahi-Christchurch, New Zealand.
What's commonly known as German Ivy (Delairea odorata) is a fast growing vine from, well, not anywhere close to Germany. It's a native to southern Africa. It's been establishing in parts of the Port Hills and I saw the first one in Halswell last week. Its leaves are thinner than English ivy and it has yellow flowers.
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/306208256
Chilean glory creeper (Eccremocarpus scaber) is an orange-flowered vine that's been popping up in and around the city. Every year I see a few more plants.
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/306208250
Weedbusters has fact sheets on these, including recommendations on how to get rid of them.
https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/what-are-weeds/weed-list/german-ivy/
https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/what-are-weeds/weed-list/chilean-glory-creeper/
Please report sightings on #iNaturalist if you find them.
Here are a couple of vine weeds to watch out for at the moment that are still uncommon but actively spreading around Ōtautahi-Christchurch, New Zealand.
What's commonly known as German Ivy (Delairea odorata) is a fast growing vine from, well, not anywhere close to Germany. It's a native to southern Africa. It's been establishing in parts of the Port Hills and I saw the first one in Halswell last week. Its leaves are thinner than English ivy and it has yellow flowers.
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/306208256
Chilean glory creeper (Eccremocarpus scaber) is an orange-flowered vine that's been popping up in and around the city. Every year I see a few more plants.
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/306208250
Weedbusters has fact sheets on these, including recommendations on how to get rid of them.
https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/what-are-weeds/weed-list/german-ivy/
https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/what-are-weeds/weed-list/chilean-glory-creeper/
Please report sightings on #iNaturalist if you find them.
