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GRUESOME!!
Young spittlebugs feed by sucking juice from plants. Some of this juice passes through their bodies and oozes as bubbles from openings on their bodies. The bubbles don't burst easily, so they quickly pile up. Sometimes these young spittlebugs are completely covered with bubbles.


Marine conservation: net benefits


Marine conservation: net benefits
A survey carried out by America's National Cente for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis has discovered the benefits and most effective management of 'no-take' reserves - areas around the world when fishing is completely banned. These reserves show tremendous success in increasing threatened species within two years. The reserves showed "average increases of 91% in number of fish, 31% in size of fish, and 23% in number of fish species present." Not only do the fish in the reserve increase, but the numbers of fish also increase on the edges of the reserves, where fishing is permitted. The study also shows that a network of smaller reserves protects more habitat diversity and more fish species, as well as providing more perimeter area for fishermen. The reserves are proven to benefit both the fish and the fishermen, says Dr. Roberts of the University of York, but the challenge is to convince fishermen and politicians that giving up 20-40% of their fishing grounds will be a huge benefit for the industry and the future of the ecosystems.
FEBRUARY 14, 2001
The Economist
FEBRUARY 14, 2001

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