The hairs on a tarantula's body sense vibrations in the air. This helps the spider find its way around and hunt in the dark. The hairs on its body break off easily and irritate the skin of many animals. Tarantulas use their back legs to flick these hairs at enemies.
Sustaining the good earth: seeking a balance between production
and protection
Sustaining the good earth: seeking a balance between production
and protection Maintaining the biological and physical structure
of soil is very important to maintaining its ability to support
life. Through agricultural cultivation, nutrients and biodiversity
in soil are reduced, resulting in degradation and erosion. It is
estimated that since the Second World War, about 10.5 per cent of
the world's vegetated land has suffered at least moderate soil
degradation due to the activity of humans. The increasing world
population means that the demands on the world's soil will also
increase. Researchers are looking at ways to prevent further soil
degradation. Methods such as zero tillage and methods of nutrient
replacement other than chemical fertilizers are being
examined. 19 JUNE 1999
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