Posts by sprigglys

Defensive tactics
 One of the most powerful survival strategies in nature is the ability for certain animals to be poisonous or venomous. Both of these employ chemicals that make the creature toxic to others. Poisonous creatures generally use their toxins in a defensive nature- for example, many toads secrete toxins and are harmful when consumed.…

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…