Great Ecology

06/09/2023

Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) is in bloom in Washington--and likely elsewhere in the western US!

Where it's found: It's native to much of the temperate regions of the western North America, from Alaska to San Luis Potosi, in Mexico and as far east as the Great Lakes region. It typically grows in disturbed areas, including roadsides, clearings, and areas recently impacted by fire or clear cutting.

Distinguishing characteristics:
Thimbleberry has a dense, shrubby habit that sends up canes similar to raspberry or blackberry, but with no prickles. The leaves are hairy, palmate, and can reach up to eight inches across. It produces relatively large white flowers. In midsummer, it produces red thimble-shaped aggregate fruits.

Why it's cool: It's flowers are good for pollinators--and a lot of animals, including humans, eat the food. It also has one of the largest leaves of this genus!

Image description: Four thimbleberries, in two stages of ripeness, against a backdrop of thimbleberry leaves.

Image from: Wikipedia

06/08/2023

Scientists are tracking the relationship between mountain pygmy possums and one of their favorite foods--a moth whose numbers have been devastated over recent years. bioGraphic always produces beautiful and thought provoking stories--and this is one you definitely won't want to miss!

Image description: a small rodent (pygmy possum) sits in a person's hands. The person is wearing a blue long-sleeved garment and grey, fingerless gloves.

The ancient relationship between the mountain pygmy possum and the bogong moth reveals the complexity of global climate change—and the lengths people may have to go to save some species from extinction.

06/07/2023

06/06/2023

This is a fun quiz! Do you think you know which leaves are maple?

Can you identify which leaves are maples?
Post your guess in the comments.

This one isn't easy so no worries if you guess wrong. We will share the answers on Sunday and give and explanation for this challenge.

Full points for trying. Bonus points if you know the species :)

06/05/2023

Many of you reading this probably remember the Exxon-Valdez oil spill--and those of you who don't actually remember it almost certainly heard it mentioned in school, popular culture, or elsewhere. Did you know that scientists, including citizen scientists, have been documenting recovery from that spill ever since? This very short article highlights some of the documentation and recovery work that's continued over the decades.

Image description: Workers in hard hats and wearing hazard orange and yellow power wash rocks.

In 1990, a scientist began visually documenting Prince William Sound’s recovery from the Exxon Valdez oil spill. When funding ran out, volunteers took over.

06/04/2023

If you're planning your summer road trip, looking for a good (and informative) summer read, or are an advocate for more trees and forests, you'll want to check out our book review on Tree Thieves--and we think you'll also want to read the book! It's a fascinating story about tree poaching, which is impacting forested areas across the US and across the world.

Image description: The cover of Tree Thieves, which shows yellow text on a background of foggy redwoods.

Great Ecology | Science + Design

06/03/2023

This is a fascinating (but brief) article about how a created beach became an important nursery for the endangered angel shark--and is well worth your time to read.

Image description: An angel shark disturbs some sand, where it has camouflaged itself.

In the Canary Islands, endangered angelsharks and European tourists are attracted to the same habitat which, for once, isn’t bad for the wildlife.

06/02/2023

This week, we're featuring blue paloverde (Parkinsonia florida), thanks to ecologist Rachel, who took this photo.

Where it's found: It is located in the southwestern US to Sonora, Mexico.

Distinguishing characteristics: The trunk and spiny branches are green with few scattered leaves. Flowers are bright yellow and they produce flattened pods.

Why it's cool: The seeds can be eaten and have been for 100s of years by the Cahuilla, Cocopa, Mohave, Pima, and Yuma indigenous peoples.

Image description: A yellow flower on a stalk filled with buds of other future flowers, against a blue sky.

05/12/2023

Red flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) has been in bloom for several weeks in Washington state--and is still in bloom right now!

Where it's found: It's found in western North America and into temperate portions of South America. It is shade intolerant and in the wild is typically found in early seral and open canopy Douglas fir dominated forests with well-drained soils. It's also commonly found in people's yards as an ornamental.

Distinguishing characteristics: It produces light to dark rose racemes that are roughly 1-3 inches long. Each flower has five petals and it produces dark purple berries in early to mid summer. Its leaves have the characteristic "duck foot" shape of other currants.

Why it's cool: It is an important species for wildlife. It provides an early source of nectar, the leaves offer forage for several species of moth and butterfly caterpillars, branches provide good nesting habitat and cover, and birds, small mammals, and even people consume the berries.