where have all the flowers gone, long time passing

[Guest guest]

Decline of wildflowers in forests worries scientists

 

Sprawling housing developments, hungry deer, invasive plants, and other threats

have sent many forest wildflower species in the U.S. into decline. Scientists

say there are limited studies and surveys available on the delicate flowering

plants, known as spring ephemerals, because they are only visible above ground

for a few weeks of the year and/or may go several years without flowering at

all. But the few records they do have indicate reason for concern. Historical

data from Wisconsin reveal an 18 percent decline in the richness of native

species, including spring ephemerals and other wildflowers, over the past 50

years. Though in many parts of the Eastern U.S. forest density is actually

increasing as abandoned farmland returns to its original state, research is

beginning to show that much of the natural diversity, including wildflowers, is

lacking. " Our forests are becoming less interesting, " says scientist Tom Rooney.

" It's similar to going to an art museum, and each time you go, there are a few

pieces of art missing. "

 

 

straight to the source: The New York Times, Barbara Whitaker, 17 May 2005

 

Those who control the past, control the future; Those who control the future,

control the present; Those who control the present, control the past.^

[Guest guest]

Almost all the funding for these studies has been stopped. Half the folks

in Fish and Game are as crocked as a dog's hind leg! The current bruhaha

over the Meadowfoam in Sebastopol are just soooooo typical.

 

Personally, I don't believe anyone planted Meadowfoam there to stop the

development. I do KNOW for a fact (used to live in the area) that the

Meadowfoam was in that tract AND that the person selling the land to the

developer or his agents destroyed several varieties of wildflowers right

before the permits to build were filed!

 

Lynda

-

fraggle <EBbrewpunx

; <lettuceheads >;

<TFHB >

Wednesday, May 18, 2005 1:45 PM

where have all the flowers gone, long time passing

 

 

> Decline of wildflowers in forests worries scientists

>

> Sprawling housing developments, hungry deer, invasive plants, and other

threats have sent many forest wildflower species in the U.S. into decline.

Scientists say there are limited studies and surveys available on the

delicate flowering plants, known as spring ephemerals, because they are only

visible above ground for a few weeks of the year and/or may go several years

without flowering at all. But the few records they do have indicate reason

for concern. Historical data from Wisconsin reveal an 18 percent decline in

the richness of native species, including spring ephemerals and other

wildflowers, over the past 50 years. Though in many parts of the Eastern

U.S. forest density is actually increasing as abandoned farmland returns to

its original state, research is beginning to show that much of the natural

diversity, including wildflowers, is lacking. " Our forests are becoming less

interesting, " says scientist Tom Rooney. " It's similar to going to an art

museum, and each time y

> ou go, there are a few pieces of art missing. "

>

>

> straight to the source: The New York Times, Barbara Whitaker, 17 May 2005

>

> Those who control the past, control the future; Those who control the

future, control the present; Those who control the present, control the

past.^

>

>

>

> To send an email to -

>