Invasive Species

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't posted in a while! Here is some information about invasive species that are found in my area, but may not be invasive where you are. Be sure to research these species in the links I provide. Thanks!

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria Petiolata)


Garlic Mustard, identifiable by its oddly shaped leaves (pictured above), tiny white flowers, and garlicky smell (go figure) is a very invasive plant in North America that is native to Europe, western and central Asia, and northwestern Africa. It is used for cooking in Europe and was brought here by European settlers in the 1860's. The reason it's so invasive her but not in Europe is because the insects and fungi that feed on it and keep it under control in Europe are not present in North America. Removal methods are pulling or cutting at the base. Pulling is more effective if this little plant shows up in your backyard.

For more information- http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/garlic-mustard.aspx

Buckthorn (Rhamnus Catharctica)




Buckthorn is a tree-like shrub with round, thick leaves that is native to Europe and Asia. It was first brought to the area by Europe in the mid 1800's as a popular hedging material. Shortly after, it was realized to be very invasive. Nurseries stopped selling it in the 1930's, but it can still be found in woods or forests all over North America. To remove buckthorn, you can cut it down, but be sure to spray roundup on the stump to prevent it from spreading.

For more information- http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/woody/buckthorn/control.html or http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/woody/buckthorn/index.html

Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus Carota)




Queen Anne's Lace is a (very pretty) white flower that is native to Europe and southwest Asia. It is invasive in North America but also Australia. It was brought here by European settlers as a wild carrot- the carrots we now eat were once cultivated from this plant. It is found in many run down fields and forests in North America. If you find this plant, the best way to remove it is pull the flower before it even buds or blossoms. This will prevent spreading as much as is possible.

For more information- http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/queen_annes_lace.htm

Thanks for reading my rant about invasive species! If you see any of these, first confirm that they are invasive in your area, and then get rid of them!

Remember, stay tuned for more posts about Mother Nature and her wonders! Also, be sure to subscribe to Earth Walk updates by email in the box to the right! Thanks guys!

The Intelligence of Dolphins

Welcome to the Earth Walk! Today, I will be talking about the intelligence of dolphins and how similar their thought processes are to us as humans. I found a lot of this information in the May 2015 edition of the National Geographic magazine. It's a really cool magazine if you want to check it out. The specific article I used is titled It's Time for a Conversation: Breaking the Communication Barrier Between Dolphins and Humans.

Below: A dolphin plays with a beach ball in Miami, Florida.

Quote the article mentioned above- "Either on dolphin is mimicking the other, or when they whistle to each other below the surface, they're literally discussing a plan."

Yes, you saw right. Dolphins can actually communicate with each other.

"A dolphin alone is not really a dolphin." says Lori Marino, a bio-psychologist and executive director for the Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy. "Being a dolphin means being embedded in a complex social network. Even more so than humans."

Certain movements or sounds mean certain things in 'dolphin language'. For example, a dolphin leaping out of the water may be signalling to his fellow dolphins- 'The food here is good. Come and join me!'

According to the article on dolphins in the National Geographic May 2015 edition, dolphins can recognize the signature whistles of other dolphins, perhaps even if they haven't seen each other for as long as 20 years!

Dolphins are truly amazing creatures, and this was only a teaser to the full capacity of their communications, emotions, and intelligence. If you want to learn more about dolphin communication and intelligence, check out the article in the mentioned National Geographic magazine's May 2015 edition- It's Time for a Conversation: Breaking the Communication Barrier between Dolphins and Humans.

If you liked this post, you may want to visit http://thecreativitytree.blogspot.com/. It is a really cool blog about creativity and related topics. There is a really cool article on Orca Whales and some awesome nature haikus. Be sure to check it out!

Thank you so much for visiting The Earth Walk! Stay tuned for more on Mother Nature and the beautiful animals and plants surrounding us.

Welcome to The Earth Walk!

Hi! Welcome to The Earth Walk! My name is Rosie, and on this blog, I will be posting interesting facts, stories, and personal experiences about nature and the planet Earth in general. Thank you so much!