Jennifer Marohasy

a forum for the discussion of issues concerning the natural environment

Archives for October 18, 2007

Lichen Spiders

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LichenSpiderEyes.jpg

Lichen Spiders (Pandercetes gracilis) blend superbly with the surface characteristics of their tree. They remain strategically hidden from predatory birds and simultaneously well-positioned to ambush unsuspecting insects. Poorly disguised individuals are readily picked-off and the gene pool is progressively refined.

The close-up image (above) shows the orientation of the eight eyes; four looking down the surface of the tree, two looking back up the tree and two looking outward.

I do wonder to what extent individuals are capable of modifying their appearance to suit the tree? Likewise, to what extent are trees of suitable character chosen for their conformity with the appearance of the spider? I do know that egg-sacs are disguised by the spider through the deployment of silk of different colours, but what of the spider itself?

In the image below, a collection of lichen spiders shows an array of varied colours and patterns that suit a diversity of bark types.

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Forest Saved from Sugar Plantations in Uganda?

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Is this a case of biodiversity before biofuels?

“Uganda’s cabinet suspended the proposal by President Yoweri Museveni to give 7,100 hectares or nearly a third of Mabira Forest to Mehta’s sugar estate in May, following a public outcry…

“Critics said razing part of Mabira would have threatened rare species, dried up a watershed for streams that feed Lake Victoria and removed a crucial buffer against pollution of the lake from two industrial towns.”

from Reuters via Planet Ark via Glen Barry

Australian Miners Walk Against Warming

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Miners join walk for cooler future

The miners’ union has joined a national campaign lobbying the Federal Government to combat global warming.

National president of the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU), Tony Maher, joined political and environmental groups today in calling on the Federal Government to act to prevent temperatures from rising more than two degrees Celcius.

Is Global Warming Good for Greenland?

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For some in Greenland these days, the grass is looking greener.

Article in National Geographic:

Global Warming Good for Greenland?

Rapid thawing brought on by global warming on the world’s largest island has opened up new opportunities for agriculture, commercial fishing, mining, and oil exploration. The island’s native people, though, may not be on the “winning” side of warming.

Meanwhile, Worlclimatereport.com draws on peer reviewed science to write an article entitled:

Greenland Climate: Now vs. Then, Part I. Temperatures

Climate Air Miles for NBC’s ‘Today’ Show

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From the Chicago Tribune:

Reporting on global warming not clean, simple

So NBC’s “Today” show has unveiled big plans for next month to jet its stars to the far reaches of the planet — Matt Lauer in the Arctic, Al Roker at the Equator and Ann Curry in Antarctica — for live broadcasts aimed at alerting us to the effects of global warming.

You know, the phenomenon said to be exacerbated by 21st Century conveniences that spew carbons into the environment, such as, um, jet travel.