If you took all the moose or deer in a northeastern forest and put them on a scale, they wouldn’t weigh as much as the superabundant but often overlooked red-backed salamander. (Hard to believe, I know, but check out the study “Salamander Populations and Biomass in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire” published in the scientific journal Copeia in 1975!)
Sex Ed for Botanists
Gender in humans turns out to be more complicated than we once thought, but gender in plants is pretty complicated, too. Plants can have separate sexes, like most animals, or they can be hermaphroditic — but in two different ways. Next time you pass a flower, check it out!
Would You Put This Stuff on Your Lawn?
You’d have to really hate butterflies, beetles and bugs to spread insecticides all over your lawn. Take a closer look at the ingredients and cautions on the package — you may decide not to use it, and share your lawn with other living creatures instead.
Bouquets and Biodiversity from Your Lawn
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you didn’t mow your lawn for a while? When I tried that, three dozen different flower species appeared, providing a banquet for insects and birds.
Swimming with Leeches
I used to be afraid of leeches until I tried a simple experiment which showed that they much prefer frogs. Now I’d much rather swim in a natural pond than a sterile chlorinated pool.