When an orchid mantis spies its prey, its legs shoot out and back in a flash, trapping its victim between its sharp leg spines. The legs hold the victim in a vice-like grip. The mantis immediately starts to bite into the victim's flesh. It eats everything; absolutely nothing is wasted!
Study finds 'weed tree' plays crucial forest role
Study finds 'weed tree' plays crucial forest role An ongoing study based at Williams Lake which is
looking into the effects of logging on forest bird species has
found that certain "keystone species" are crucial to the
biodiversity of the forest because other species are dependent on
them. Three of the key species are trembling aspens, northern
flickers and red-naped sapsuckers. The two bird species are
important because they drill the holes in trees which many other
species nest in, and the aspen is the tree in which the holes are
most frequently drilled. Forestry companies regard the aspen as a
garbage tree because it is not worth much money; they do not
include aspens when they replant a clearcut. The lack of diversity
in the replantings could have a negative effect on biodiversity in
the area. The study will continue to determine what, if any, effect
differing forestry practices will have on bird species as an
indicator of forest wildlife health.
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