- Author: Elise S Gornish
One of the most devastating characteristics of invasive plants is their ability to enhance further invasion by con- and heterospecifics, as well as to limit native recolonization into previously invaded areas. Invasives can accomplish this through a variety of ways that include the modification of nutrient cycling dynamics, a change of water availability, the attraction of novel herbivores, and an increase in soil acidity. One of the most common ways that invasives enhance further invasion is through the modification of the soil microbiome (the bacterial and fungal community). This has direct relevance for management because if an invasive plant is cultivating a soil microbiome that facilitates future invasion and restricts native...
- Author: Cheryl Reynolds
The UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM) put together a 26-page card set in English and Spanish on understanding pesticide labels. Intended for pesticide handlers, applicators, safety trainers, and pest control advisers (PCAs), the cards explain when to read the label, describe what kind of information can be found in each section of a pesticide label, and point out specific instruction areas so that applicators can apply pesticides safely and avoid illegal pesticide residues.
Traces of pesticide residue are normal and even expected after pesticides are applied to food...
- Author: Clyde Elmore
- Posted by: Gale Perez
Do weed populations change during a drought? Does drought favor certain species? Does annual or perennial species matter? During this four year period of drought in California, have they changed? What are the populations of annual and perennial weeds? With a limiting growth factor, in this case water, weeds become more prominent and which of them will or could disappear?
In urban landscapes, where turf grass areas are being renovated, or in non-irrigated land that has been farmed, but furloughed, or in non-cropped roadsides or wasteland, are we seeing life-cycle species shifts? Or is it that we see a loss or decreased competitiveness of annual species, thus perennial species can be observed?
I will give the example of...
- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
In case you have missed it, heated debates have been raging across the Internet regarding our food and food production practices. Caramel coloring in that PSL, yay or nay? Labeling of foods derived from genetically modified plants? Conventional or organic agriculture? Is there glyphosate in breastmilk? Gluten-free? Paleo? Help!!!!!
Don't believe me? Get on social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter) and prepare yourself to bombarded; EVERYONE has an opinion about EVERYTHING.
As a scientist, I have been dismissive of people who just don't seem to understand or, more importantly, trust science. And I think that there are (probably) a good many other researchers who feel the same way. The facts are the facts; how can...