In a study recently published in the journal Ecology, University of California, Irvine scientists uncover the intricate dance between drought, wildfires and invasive species in Southern California’s coastal sage scrub ecosystems. The research, led by Sarah Kimball, director of the Center for Environmental Biology at UCI, sheds light on the critical interplay of these factors and its profound implications for ecosystem health.

The research, conducted at the Loma Ridge Global Change Experiment, showcases how prolonged drought acts as a catalyst, influencing not only the severity of wildfires but also paving the way for invasive species to take center stage. By simulating drought conditions, the study clarifies connections between climate change, wildfire dynamics, and shifts in plant communities.

Reduced fire severity associated with drought creates an environment conducive to invasive species. Non-native grasses, in particular, thrive in these conditions, potentially leading to a transformation of the landscape and abundance and diversity of native species.

The findings carry significant implications for managing these vulnerable ecosystems. The study advocates for strategies that carefully consider the frequency of wildfires and the control of invasive species post-fire. Controlled burns, commonly used in other ecosystems, are not recommended for coastal sage scrub systems, as they can inadvertently promote invasive species.

“This study is unique in that replicate experimental plots were subjected to several years of different precipitation regimes prior to the wildfire, allowing an opportunity to test how a range of pre-fire weather conditions influenced fire severity and resulting plant community composition,” says Kimball: “We found feedbacks between invasive species and low-severity wildfire, indicating that control burns should not be conducted in this system.”

Beyond academic circles, the research holds significance for the public. As wildfires increasingly impact communities, comprehending the factors influencing their severity becomes paramount. The study prompts a reevaluation of traditional wildfire management approaches, highlighting the urgent need to address climate change for the preservation of natural ecosystems.

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Cockroaches are everywhere, getting in our houses, food, and garbage. Some cultures might eat them but these pesky pests are annoying, large, and gross. No one wants cockroaches roaming their homes. While we all want to get rid of these pests, it is important to do so in a manner that is eco-friendly because pesticides can kill. I will teach you how to get rid of cockroaches in a way that is won’t harm the environment or you.

Pesticides are bad for the environment because the chemicals in them runoff into water bodies and contaminate the water. According Adam Teva Ve Din, Israel still uses glyphosates and more chemicals on its fields than most other Western nation. In Israel, there is widespread use of herbicides in agriculture and urban landscaping. Glyphosate is used widely in Israel to grow wheat, banana, avocado, watermelon, melon, grapes and other agricultural produce. Municipalities often use Roundup (owned by Scotts) and other pesticide products that contain glyphosate to maintain landscaping in parks, gardens, playgrounds and other public open spaces.

Consider that eight of Canada’s ten provinces have instituted restrictions or bans on the use of non-essential pesticides including glyphosate. Roundup has been banned in numerous other countries, states, and cities, due to concerns that exposure to the pesticide may lead to serious health concerns including cancer.

Pesticide contamination on the landscape is detrimental to ecosystems too. Pesticides are also bad for vegetation and soil as they kill plants and insects non-selectively – the good ones and the bad. In addition, pesticides are toxic to humans and can cause unpleasant side effects, such as headaches, nausea, and even cause death in extreme cases. In general, pesticides are so toxic that they quite literally kill everything.

Luckily, there are ways around the toxicity of pesticides so they can be used in an eco-friendly way. One way is by using an all-natural powder called diatomaceous earth (DE) which some people also eat for health reasons. DE is a naturally occurring remnant of fossils and shells found in underground deposits. It can be found in sediments of water bodies such as rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans all over the world. It is used in everyday products such as toothpaste and face washes.

Simply dust this powder over areas that you don’t want cockroaches in and this option works great. It cannot harm you if ingested or inhaled, so it is a great option to use as a pesticide alternative. It also works on a wide range of pests because it absorbs the oils that insects are attracted to. You can usually find it in health stores.

Borax as antidote to cockroaches

The next eco pesticide to get rid of cockroaches is one you can make at home. By mixing borax and sugar, you can have a pest-free house. Borax is also naturally occurring and can be found in household cleaners and laundry detergents. But it is toxic to your body to injest (to your kidneys, and don’t inhale the powder). This method works because pests eat the borax, so you will need to mix it with sugar.

Mix equal parts of borax and sugar and you have an alternate, eco pesticide. Sprinkle this powder over the areas that you want pests to avoid and will kill many insects, including cockroaches. Although this method is environmentally friendly, it is still toxic and needs to be handled carefully. Avoid children being exposed to it, getting it on the skin, or eyes, or inhaling it. Keep it away from food. Under-counter or where the cockroaches hide is a good place to start.

Eco pesticides you can buy

If you are looking for companies where you can buy all-natural, eco-pesticides directly, this is a good one:  Wondercide creates a wonderful pest control spray based on peppermint that is safe to use in the household and is made from natural essential oils.

This peppermint spray kills cockroaches and other pests that may make their way into your home. The spray is vegan, cruelty-free, and does not contain any artificial colors, dyes, or fragrances. It is safe for humans and pets, so it’s a great option in the household.

If you are trying to avoid using any powders or sprays, Pest Reject is another option that is eco-friendly. Pest Reject is a plug-in device that uses an ultrasonic frequency to repel pests such as mouses, spiders, mosquitos and cockroaches.

This device is long-lasting, low consumption, does not produce any radiation, and has no chemical odor. It does not make any noise so everyone in the household can sleep peacefully. The device can cover up to 1200 square feet per unit, so they recommend that you have one device per room.

They can be found online. I highly recommend this device if you struggle with pests of all kinds.

No one should have to worry about cockroaches infesting their homes, so take these sustainable steps to kick them out of your house.

The post Eco solutions against cockroaches appeared first on Green Prophet.

Israel, being on the “land bridge” that links it with Africa and Asia Minor, has always been well known for a number of biblical fruits. These include: the multi-seed pomegranates, grapes from which superb wines are now made; and of course several varieties of dates and olives. Another iconic fruit, although not native, comes from the genus opuntia and is known as the prickly pear or “Sabra” cactus.

The fruit received its “Israeli” name as a way to compare it to the personality of native born Israelis or Sabras; who are often said to be hard and prickly on the outside but sweet and soft on the inside.

Now, this national plant symbol is being threatened by the invasion of a species of parasitic aphid that has been attacking Sabra cactus plants in the far north of the country and threatens to spread over other parts of Israel as well.

The aphid, which scientists think may have “hitched a ride” into the country from abroad, attacks the cacti and secretes toxins into the tissues of the plant in order to make it easier for it to suck its food from the plant.

According to Zvi Mendel of the Volcani institute, a research center under the ministry of agriculture, “The aphid damages those parts of the plant which are vital for food supply and, in the end, the plant  dies.”

The invading aphid species, Dactylopius opuntiae, inadvertently introduced to Israel from its native South America, has no natural predators in Israel, allowing it to multiply freely. The aphid invasion is currently confined to cacti located in Israel’s Hula Valley, according to an article in The Times of Israel.

By spraying the cacti with poisonous pesticides, Israeli agricultural experts are hoping to limit the spread of the parasite, which they think may have been brought to Israel by someone who purchased a cactus plant in Central or South America, the natural home of the cacti.

“It would be enough for him to have brought one leaf to Israel and planted it, and that is how the insect – which is difficult to see on the cactus – grew and spread,” says David Brand, the Jewish National Fund’s head forester.

Sabra fruit is harvested in late summer and is often sold in roadside fruit kiosks in both Israel and in the Palestinian Authority. The fruit is best served chilled and it is recommended that one wear gloves when peeling them to avoid being stuck by numerous cactus spines.

Read more on other iconic fruit indigenous to Israel and the Holy Land:

Pomegranate Seeds removed in 10 Secs With Wooden Spoon (Video)

Dates, A Global History, by Nawal Nasrallah Book Review

4 Summer Rose Wines from the Middle East

Olive Season is Here: Buy Local of DIY

Photo of Aphid Giving Birth: Wikipedia

The post Israel’s Iconic Sabra Cactus Endangered by Invading Aphids appeared first on Green Prophet.

Nice try, but there are no culinary awards for stir-fried jellyfish just yet. Still, if you want to cook it, here’s a method from the food blog Ptitim (Hebrew), written by a cook who goes only by “Gal.”

With all the delicious food available in Israel, why cook jellyfish? It seems that Gal got fed up with the seasonal jellyfish invasion that makes the beach impossible and decided to turn the pest into something tasty.

“Time to take revenge!” he writes, adding wryly, “But before you start rolling your eyes, look at the bright side. One less jellyfish in the sea!”

With the swarms of jellyfish making life hard for Middle-Eastern beach-lovers, I suppose you could call it a sustainable crop. And Gal’s recipe has 1,500 “likes” on Facebook so far. Maybe its popularity is due to the cook’s humor, like the comment on one of his photos: “We don’t say eeeuw to good food!”

In spite of the light tone, Gal took his jellyfish seriously. He researched the correct type (apparently not all jellyfish are alike edible). Wearing heavy rubber gloves to avoid getting stung, he gathered a few fresh ones from a nearby beach. Surprisingly, he says that each weighs about as much as a small watermelon.

He washed his catch repeatedly in very hot water, which deactivates the stinging toxins, then again in cold. Chopping the inedible tentacles away, he touched the meat to test for sting. No sting, so he tasted a little of the raw jellyfish.

“Tasteless,” he commented, “with a texture like flip-flops.”

Hoping to improve the taste, he chopped the flesh into strips and put them in a marinade of soy sauce, rice vinegar and chili for half an hour. Gal then stir-fried the strips for one minute and set them aside on a paper towel to drain. An Asiatic mixture of mushrooms and vegetables went into the wok and the jellyfish was added.

Mixed with soba noodles, the dish actually looks pretty good. (Even if you don’t read Hebrew, it’s worth looking at all the photos on the blog). Some of them are posted below.

Gal took a deep breath and tasted.

“The jellyfish has no flavor at all. All you taste is the other ingredients. And the texture is still like rubber tires.”

Was it worth the bother?

“It was worth it for the culinary experience,” writes Gal. “Next time, calamari!”

More on jellyfish from Green Prophet:

• Tips Against Jellyfish Invasions
• New Jellyfish Species Tells of Global Warming
• Corals Feeding on Jellyfish: Adaption To Climate Change?

Photos of jellyfish stir-fry by Gal.

The post Jellyfish Stir Fry? An Adventure in Sustainable Cooking appeared first on Green Prophet.

Fewer cold spells are great for pests, but terrible for farmers. Last year, there were higher incidents of bed bugs in the UAE as a result of increasing temperatures and in October, Jordan’s tomato production was hampered by heat and pests. Whether heat is responsible for a recently-discovered infestation of watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (WnCSV) is questionable, but the potential impact on one of Jordan’s top twenty crops could be devastating.

A study released by the Department of Plant Protection at the University of Jordan in Amman shows that various samples of watermelon and melon showed levels of the watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (WnCSV).

Leaf samples taken from watermelon, melon, squash, cucumber, and bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) plants were tested for WmCSV-[JO] infection by PCR.

The virus was detected in 8 melon and 87 watermelon samples collected in Ghor Assafi, in the southern Jordan valley.

Compounding the problem, three samples taken from Mafraq were infected by both WmCSV-[JO] and Squash leaf curl virus. According to the report, the leaf curl virus is closely related to viruses present in Israel, Yemen, Iran, Lebanon, and Sudan.

“Watermelon plants biolistically inoculated with WmCSV-[JO] developed characteristic mottling, yellowing and severe leaf curling symptoms 3 weeks post inoculation.”

In 2005, according to the UN World Food and Agricultural Organization, watermelon was among Jordan’s top 20 most important and lucrative crops.

::  NCBI

More on agriculture in the Middle East:

How Food Insecurity Fuels Anger In The Middle East

Wind Turbines Cool Off Agriculture As Planet Heats Up

Organic Farms Growing In Dubai

image via ViNull

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