Water Voles Becoming Collective Responsibility of Ever Superior Homo-sapiens

Recently, Ecuador has changed its constitution to proclaim Nature’s right to exist and regenerate itself. In the wake of a major disaster facing Japan, this move by this democratic republic in South America speaks volumes about how Man has perceived himself in context of Nature. It is difficult to say whether this move by the Homo-sapiens can be deemed as acceptance of compassionate co-existence or an imprudent statement on great leveler. Any which ways, water voles too are protected species in United Kingdom under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is however ironical that first humanity does everything that causes elimination of certain species and then it wakes up from its beauty sleep to protect it when it is considerably too late! But, as they say, better late than never! Let us strike the chord with a reasonable optimism! Water voles are often found at the river bank sides, on edges of lakes, ponds and canals, and in and around moist lands. They have their burrows around these water reserves and they come out of this now and then in search of the food. 95% of these plump-faced and brown-eared protected species has been wiped out from this planet Earth.

Thus, being a tasty food to some of the predators in the environmental cycle is one of the reasons why they are eliminated and consequently need to be protected. Another major reason of their being endangered is insensitive and un-empathetic agricultural mechanism especially heavy grazing. In this background, the water voles are protected, especially in United Kingdom under a special law called Wildlife and Countryside 1981. This law mandates any house development or project to rehabilitate water voles if there are any on the site in question. It is a criminal offense if they are being destroyed intentionally or unintentionally. Therefore, any new house development project or office development project needs the help of ecological consultants because they have certain techniques to re-house or relocate these animals. Read more..

Giant Hogweed Seeds Have Potential to Spread Till Seven Years

Though native to Asia and Caucasus region, Giant hogweed entered Britain in 19th century! Feared by its colonized nature (Yes, at least, Nature is a great leveler!); the country has to legislate this “dangerous” weed under Section 14(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. According to this law, a person who causes to “to grow in the wild any plant which is included in Part II of Schedule 9, he shall be guilty of an offence.”  Now, we are just talking about law and offense in the beginning of the talk, and you are naturally baffled. After all what is the fault of giant hogweed also known as Heracleum mantegazzianum? Well, as they say, nobody is to blame, except the ways of Nature. Talking about its physique, it has inflorescence with flat topped umbel. This umbel is comprised of many small white florets with each cluster of up to a diameter of 2.5 feet. Having a notched edge, these sharp leaves have the potential to stretch up to 1.5 meter across and 3 meter long. So, does it mean that if the appearance is so sharp and scary, it actually is scary? Yes, by all means. It is a literal threat to other natural species including humans.

According to ecological consultants, Giant hogweed ’s saps have dangerous toxins that cause photo-dermatitis. Also, due to these harmful toxins, when the skin comes into direct contact with sunlight, it produces painful, burning blisters that may develop into purplish or blackened scars. Also, when this weed is grown up, the other plants and other natural resources are completely eaten up. And, therefore, there is a danger of erosion. Another fact that is even more dangerous is that even after the eradication of this weed, its seeds have the potential of germination for seven years. Therefore, it is not enough that you eradicate it completely. If a single seed has been left without eradication, you risk your soil for another attack of Giant hogweed. And, this is precisely the reason why it is difficult to remove this Giant hogweed on your own. Hence, help of ecological consultants is needed because it is their profession to guide you in the right direction and to help you get rid of this unwanted natural phenomenon.  Read more..