It takes a village     There are over 700 ant species in North America. Nature’s premier recyclers, they constantly mix nutrients and decaying matter into the soil to be readily broken down. They aren’t working alone, however. The small mound at the entrance of an ant colony hides a labyrinth of interconnected tunnels home to…

Why wasps are important When the word wasp is thrown around, the image that usually comes to mind is an ornery insect armed with a stinger and angry friends. While this is true in some cases, stinging social wasps are the rarity among their kind. The overwhelming majority of wasps are docile, solitary insects and…

More complex than you think Beginning every spring, plants of every size, shape, and color throw countless pollen spores into the atmosphere. Whether by accident or design, plants release a huge amount of pollen during their lifetime. From spring to fall pollen makes up a surprising amount of the air we breathe. This is a…

Where did soil come from? When thinking about the most valuable natural resources, the first things that come to mind are usually oil, gemstones, precious metals, and other similar commodities. You may be surprised to hear that one of the most important and truly priceless natural resources is soil. The soil is thought to have…

Attracting pollinators is key As far as flowering plants go, pollination is absolutely critical to the health of current and future generations. Pollination among plants allows for the creation of seeds, larger fruit, and increases genetic diversity, leading to a greater resistance to environmental stressors. In order to achieve the most efficient pollination possible, some…

The situation for solar fields and pollinators  Although more and more homes in the United States are utilizing solar fields, the majority of solar field projects are utility-scaled, requiring huge tracts of land that are made into barren areas virtually unlivable to most wildlife. Some solar companies are beginning to try and change that, however,…

Mason bees The mason bees are here!  I am happy to report that the first mason bees have been observed emerging from their winter domiciles around the area! I understand that for most readers this might not be the most exciting statement, however let me tell you why mason bees are such fascinating and important native…

The chaotic source of our magnetic field There has been increased attention on the Earth’s magnetic field in recent years. Scientists have noticed for some time that this protective barrier, which shields the planet from being roasted by cosmic radiation, is less reliable than we might hope. The field itself is generated by iron and other metals circulating…

In Western North Carolina, chances are you can’t go far without seeing a mountain. While the mountains are awe-inspiring on an almost daily basis, I was not fully aware of the historical, industrial, or geological importance of the Appalachian Mountains. After doing further reading on the subject, I felt many would find this information as fascinating…

Annoying but important  You know carpenter bees- the large yellow and black insects that bore holes in wood and can sometimes be seen patrolling their territories. These traits have given the carpenter bee a bad rap which it does not deserve. Carpenter bees are amazing native pollinators and are an important part of the ecosystem…

Honey bees aren’t the only pollinators suffering You’ve heard about the dangers facing honey bees- pests, diseases, and pesticides have stressed the species to a critical point. This threatens to make using honey bees for pollination services much more costly and difficult. The pollination of billions of dollars worth of crops hangs in the balance. However,…

Beyond the beauty  While many of us take pleasure in being around blooming plants because of their beauty, a closer look reveals the true nature of flowers. What might at first glance appear to be a peaceful wildflower meadow is actually the site of frenzied activity. For many creatures on Earth, a collection of flowers…

Small but mighty On ocean floors and riverbeds, colonies of organisms clad in armor plating filter minute organisms out of the water around them.  These creatures remain in the same spots for years at a time and can siphon huge amounts of water throughout the course of their lifetimes.  Tiny fortresses nestled among the rocks…

We are experiencing the highest concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our environment ever seen by humankind. There’s a lot of talk going on right now about the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and exactly what that means. Although spikes such as this have happened somewhat frequently in Earth’s history, many scientists are concerned about…

Most insects hate the cold For all creatures the winter is a time of harsh temperatures, scarce running water and infrequent food sources.  Insects have incredibly varied ways in which they survive during this time.  These can range from building a weatherproof cocoon and camping out through the winter alone, to huddling together en masse…