Environ News | Environ News – Environ Information

invasive species

11/06/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Researchers look at two parasitoids from Pakistan as potential natural pest control

The fruit orchards of California are under attack by Asian citrus psyllids (Diaphorina citri). These insect pests spread the huanglongbing disease that kills profitable citrus plants. To combat them, researchers are using two parasitoid wasps from Pakistan, the original home of the psyllid menace. The psyllids are an invasive species from southern Asia that first […]

10/24/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Looking at alternative approaches to pest control

In response to the devastating huanglongbing disease sweeping through California’s citrus orchards, researchers are testing a biological control program. They are using two wasps from Asia that are natural enemies of the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri), an invasive species of insect that spreads the bacteria responsible for the disease. The study was supported by the University of California Riverside. […]

09/25/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Scientists use algorithms to calculate ways to reduce the ecosystem impact of large dams

Large dams are one of the pillars that support modern-day civilization. However, they’re also one of the biggest threats to freshwater ecosystems. In an article from Scientific American, researchers sought to calculate a balance that lessens the impact of dams while also ensuring enough water and power for human needs. The University of Washington (UW) […]

09/21/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Adding cattle to wetland management practices benefits migratory bird populations, environment

In a bid to protect the dwindling wetlands of southeastern Nebraska from the encroachment of aggressive reed canarygrass and preserve them from conversion into farmland, researchers suggest using the lush region of the Rainwater Basin as grazing or haying grounds for domesticated cattle, reported a Newswise article. This way, an aggressive invasive species gets reduced, the cattle receive plenty of natural […]

08/27/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

Conservationists looking at fungi to restore native plant populations

More than five million species of fungi have been identified so far, but only about 300 are known to make people sick. Fungi – both the “good” and the “bad” ones – play a vital role in the ecosystem, something that conservationists from Washington State University Tri-Cities (WSU Tri-Cities) are demonstrating through their research. Tanya […]

08/22/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

Using phenolic acids to battle exotic plant invasion

Allelopathy is the process in which plants use biochemicals to hinder the growth and survival of potential competitors. A study published in Allelopathy Journal looked at how this process is used by both native and invasive plant species. The researchers noted that invasive species disrupt ecosystems by using “novel weapons,” biochemicals that native species are […]

08/06/2018 / By Janine Acero

Will they never learn? Scientists consider releasing Chinese flea beetles to fight invasive species of tree – they can’t control the spread of a tree, but think they can wrangle bugs

The tallow tree (Triadica sebifera) is an invasive species of trees growing in North America. It is native to eastern Asia, characterized by its toxic leaves. It has no natural predators in North America, and is now rapidly conquering the South, showing a strong resistance to attempts at controlling their spread. Some scientists suggest that introducing the […]

05/17/2018 / By Isabelle Z.

Better than chemicals: Animal grazing more effective at controlling invasive weeds

Reed canary grass is taking over land around the country. It grows surprisingly quickly, choking out the other plants in the areas where it crops up and reducing the biodiversity of area insects and birds. The invasive species is so dense that deer and pheasants won’t eat it, and it clogs up open water patches […]

1 of 1