Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Over the past decades of cattle ranching, more than 1,200 acres of fescue-bermudagrass pastures were established on the preserve. While providing excellent forage for cattle, these fields are of very little value for wildlife. As we seek to restore a continuous natural landscape, these fields will be converted to native grassland and savanna. This involves the eradication of fescue and bermuda and planting a mix of native grasses and wildflowers with a no-till drill on 100 acres/year. Areas planted in native grasses and forbs will ultimately move toward savanna via planting of shortleaf pine and hardwood seedlings and seeds.A mix of 6 species of native grasses and several species of wildflowers are purchased commercially. Preserve staff and volunteers collect additional native wildflower from the preserve and other natural areas in the late summer and fall. This seed is mixed with the commercially acquired seed prior to planting. A Truax No-till Drill is used to plant the seed at approximately 10 pounds per acre.
To date, nearly 300 acres have been planted to native grassland. In addition to enhancing wildlife habitat on the preserve, the project seeks to develop effective protocols for converting fescue and bermudagrass pastures to native grasslands. Restored areas will provide important habitat for nesting and wintering birds, deer, quail, turkey, and small mammals. The elimination of non-native grasslands will deplete sources for invasive plant species, and enhance the connectivity and ecological functionality of the Nickel Preserve.
Friday, March 7, 2008
In the desert there are many types of life and climate. There many flash floods and piercing hot dry spells in the desert. Rain clouds come out of water. The cactus is a plant that can go along with no water for a month. The animals there are reptiles mostly and some birds few mamels and allot of insects.
The rain forest is divided in to layers called strata. The canopy is the top layer of vegetation in the forest. A thick layer made up of the tops of tall trees, it acts as a ceiling to the rest of the wildlife there.Every minute 2.000 rain forest trees are cut down - About halve of the worlds animal species and plants inhabit seven percent of the world what we call rain forest - Hundreds of items we use every day come from the tropical rain forests. Here a short list of common items made from rain forest products. Rubber from the rubber trees used in tires, latex products, clothing, toys and gaskets. Rattan made from palm leaves and used for wicker baskets, furniture like armchairs or beds. Cacao Beans from cacao trees growing on cacao plantations and used for kakao, oil, chocolate and the nutritious cocoa butter. Kola or cola nuts, family of cocoa tree and used for soft drinks, what's in a name? Palm oils for cooking and also medicines for treatment of Malaria Hodgkin s and cancer. Imagine what would life be without the rain forests!
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