Comments for Double Trouble: Invasive Species and Climate Change

Comment on > Australian conservation groups forge new invasive species alliance by jOE a FRIEND

jOE a FRIEND — Sun, 31 May 2009 03:44:17 +0000

A new, formative webpage @ http://toxicwoodyweeds.wikispaces.com
now provides an overview to the nub of the expansive problem/s being experienced at-their worst(all 6 species of TWW) in and around Byron Shire(NSW), centre of ‘weed biodiversity’ in Australia, otherwise known as ‘weed city’ in this otherwise semi-tropical region; Camphor laurel invasion covers approx half-of Byron Shire, when full aerial mapping of the trees’ often extensive canopies is taken into account; Camphors’ are the biggest of the TWW’s often/mostly encouraging many of the other TWWs to grow-up underneath them e/g/ Privets, Wild Tobacco; all-3 have been both observed or recorded scientifically as being capable(in summertime) of killing native birds-e.g. in North America too(2001, in Poisonous Plants of North America).
Both ‘toxicity’ and ‘poisonousness’ of woody weeds are parameters currently not being taken seriously by NSW-Australian weed scientists & specialists ;as they consistently prefer to only take notice of toxicity
of waterweeds, and exclude the KNOWN FACT that elevated catrbon dioxide is contributing to a rise in toxicity of many woody weeds seasonally consumed in great amounts by wildlife e.g. UNE-Armidale weeds scientists have 100% resisted all attempts/suggestions to initiate research into ToxicWoody Weed species in northeastern NSW!
GO TO: http://toxicwoodyweeds.wikispaces.com (and ADD your contribution, PLEASE) J A Friend
Expert Adviser on TWWs, and E-Narcotics(‘environmental narcotics’)-after Overton C E(1901); and the U.S.EPA (1991 Translation ex-German); AUTHOR and Ecologist

Comment on > Buffel grass blamed for jump in US desert wildfires by Glen Jameson

Glen Jameson — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:32:21 +0000

I worked on Buffel Grass in Central Australia and it was obvious that the fire threat in and around Alice Springs was increased considerably by the invasion of Buffel Grass across the urban fringe, threatening property and life. Across the landscape Buffel Grass is at such levels of density that it has set up a new fire regime that threatens many important biological communities.

Comment on > More climatic disturbance, more bitou by Tim Low

Tim Low — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:19:58 +0000

Many Australians care enough about climate change to want to do something practical to help. By showing that there is a link between climate change and weed invasion, ISC hopes to harness their concerns by persuading people to do something about weeds. Our message is that you can do something practical about
climate change problems by controlling bushland weeds.

Tim Low,
ISC

Comment on > More climatic disturbance, more bitou by Wen

Wen — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 05:58:09 +0000

After more than 10 long years working on Bitou Bush on a headland, dune system and estuarine environment on the NSW south coast, our bushcare group are at the stage where we now know exactly where plants will form from the soil seed bank and we can target them and have a quick sweep through the entire site. This includes Boneseed, Lantana and Blackberry as well. Yes, wonderful. But…

It is very hard to get people to actually “walk the walk” and get their hands dirty in working to remove these (or any other weed) pest.

An EXTRA direction needs to be taken by all environmental and other groups, and the government, to encourage more people to actually do the hands-on work. I personally wish that bush regeneration/restoration was viewed as productive work with an economic value. As it is not, nor likely to be in the near future, we need to encourage everyone to do their bit by volunteering.

As people are generally selfish the first emphasis needs to be placed on the benefits to the individual of volunteering with a bushcare, coastcare, landcare or rivercare group. The second emphasis should then be on the benefits to the environment.

What do other people think? Any ideas or suggestions on getting people to stop complaining around the dinner table and do something? Who could we push to undertake such a campaign?

Another idea I had was if there was a program on television such as Landline / Lateline / Lateline Business devoted entirely to the environment with regular segments on:

- on-ground works,
- new research and trials for on-ground works
- changes to environment laws

as well as environment news stories.

Any comments or ideas on this, too?

Wen

Comment on > Deadly combination could irreversibly damage ecosystems by RaiulBaztepo

RaiulBaztepo — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:43:31 +0000

Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I’v just started to learn this language
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo

Comment on > Victorian bushfires could pave way for weed explosion by Bushnat

Bushnat — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:37:31 +0000

A very timely warning given the article in today’s Age 24/3/09 regarding the distribution of hay and other fodder into National Parks for starving native animals affected by the fires. Given the date of this article, one wonders if the DPI or Parks Victoria have responded and put the necessary protocols in place as required under the CALP Act ? I wouldn’t hold my breath

Comment on > Antarctic midgets could reveal shape of future ecosystems by David Eden

David Eden — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:36:41 +0000

Bugs and plant material brought by tourists were sampled when I went to Antarctica in 2007 at Xmas, by Australian researchers. Have the results of that study been published yet?