Ecology | NYFA

An Ode to Naturalists and Their Discoveries

admin — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:36:16 +0000

A recent 91��Ƭ�� Times article by Richard Conniff entitled “How Species Save Our Lives” heaps praise on naturalists and their discovery of species that have provided the many health benefits that we enjoy today. I like his comments, “Were it not for the work of naturalists, you and I would probably be dead. Or if alive, we would be far likelier to be crippled, in pain, or otherwise incapacitated.” And “When the new wave of emerging diseases comes washing up on our doorsteps, we may find ourselves asking two questions: Where are the naturalists to help us sort out the causes and cures? And where are the species that might once have saved us?”

He presents a good, and much used, reason why we must continue to explore the natural world and save species. I also like his suggestion #7: “Learn to identify 10 species of plants and animals in your own neighborhood, then 20, and onward.” NYFA can help with that! To read the entire article . You can also see his blog about species at .

Learning about species at Wildland.com

Dodder (Cuscuta pentagona) Exploits Odors to Find its Host

admin — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:17:44 +0000

While browsing the website , I came across an interesting article about dodder and a reference about how they key on odors or chemical signals of some plants to find a host. Here is a detailed entry about it in the . This species is considered uncommon in 91��Ƭ�� and there are four other species that are endangered and threatened in the state. To find out more about two of them, you can go to the NY Natural Heritage Program .

The flowers of Cuscuta gronovii, a common species of dodder, in Schenectady. Photo Steve Young

Want to Know More about Pollinators? There’s a Website for That.

admin — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:49:30 +0000

The Pollinator Partnership is a fascinating website that deals with the role of pollinators.

The Pollinator Partnership’s mission is to protect pollinators, critical to food and ecosystems, through conservation, education, and research. Signature initiatives include the (North American Pollinator Protection Campaign), , and the.

You can also download the beautiful poster shown below.

What is Inside That Goldenrod Ball Gall?

admin — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 20:13:35 +0000

Even though there is snow on the ground and freezing cold the fruits and old stalks of some of our herbaceous plants are still visible, especially the goldenrods. There is an online key available to help you identify the most common insects found in goldenrod gall balls. It is produced at Bucknell University and you can access it

The parasitoid wasp of the gall fly.

Frazil Ice at Yosemite Video: Like the Hudson River at The Glen

admin — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:50:47 +0000

Evelyn Greene sent a link to this video to show how frazil ice is formed in Yosemite. It is the same process that builds the ice we see on the ice meadows at The Glen on the Hudson River. Evelyn has studied this phenomenon for years and how it affects the unique flora of the area. You can visit the Hudson River north of Warrensburg up to North Creek to see our own version of this beautiful natural event.

Glimmer of Hope for Northeast Hemlocks

admin — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:34:36 +0000

Northeast forest health managers are cautiously optimistic they might be along the path to protecting threatened Northeast hemlock populations. For the full news release CLICK HERE.

State Rare Plants Featured on Green Roof at SUNY ESF in Syracuse

admin — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:43:19 +0000

When the new Gateway Building is finished that the campus of SUNY ESF it will feature a green roof containing 91��Ƭ��’s largest living collection of state protected and rare plants, according to the Inside ESF magazine. – Steve Young

For more details and the full article Or see the entire issue .

ESF Gateway Building when it is completed

State Rare Plants Featured on Green Roof at SUNY ESF

admin — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 23:53:58 +0000

When the new Gateway Building is finished on the the campus of SUNY ESF it will feature a green roof containing 91��Ƭ��’s largest living collection of state protected and rare plants, according to the alumni magazine.

For more details and the full article .

ESF Gateway Building when finished

Yes, Old Pressed Plants Are Really Useful

admin — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 18:06:34 +0000

CLICK HERE to see an article about how ecologists are using herbarium specimens to study global warming. Brooklyn Botanic Garden is featured.

Adirondack Botanical Garden Established

admin — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 19:29:22 +0000

David Campbell of Queensbury has established the Adirondack Botanical Garden. Their mission is to promote education in the fields of horticulture, botany, and ecology in the Adirondacks and Capital Region of 91��Ƭ�� State. For more information go to their website at: http://www.adirondackbotanicalgarden.org/index.html We hope to have more information about the garden in a later […]