Most Invasive The Hottentot Fig may seem like a mere, harmless succulent plant dwelling where it should be. However, this is not the case. It's actually uprooted itself and left a footprint in places uninvited. The Hottentot fig appears in many coastal regions, and Californians, as they may be accustomed to it, have accepted it as a native plant. Unfortunately, what many do not know is that it's actually an alien species that has destroyed many native species. It's dominating personality has taken over what was once the home to a multitude of species and habitats. Many animals have been forced to move away and find new homes, or have even died out because of the lack of their origianl habitual resources. Because of this plant, biodiversity, in it's region, has rapidly decreased(2). The plan't removal is just as bad as it's invasiveness. It requires the meticulous process of hand removal. Burning the plant, or just pulling it isn't enough because the plants' root system are integrated deep into the ground, which if not properly removed, the Fig will simply regrow. To remove properly, it is suggested to remove all of the buried stems, and afterwars mulch the soil to prevent re-birth(2). Clearly, The Hottentot Fig Is a devouring, invasive species. Common Name: Hottentot Fig Scientific Name: Carpobrotus Edulis(1). Where on Earth is it a problem: It is a problem on all the areas that it is non-native to. In the Meditteranean, California, and Austrailia, it has dominatated most of the land area and has ceased biodiversity of producers. In England, it especially has wiped out all native species in its path. In Ireland, its' invasiveness has spread from Belfast Lough to Cork Harbour(1). Where did it come from?: It origianally flourished from South Africa, but has been introduced to many parts of the world, and rooted itself in the Medditeranean, Austrailia, California, as well as other Chapparal areas of the world. It has also spread to England and Ireland(1). Most Endangered The Beluga Sturgeon, commonly mistaken for the Beluga whale, is on the verge of extinction. It has been classified as endangered due to its being overfished in pursuit of its highly treasured Caviar, supposedly the world's finest. In the past 20 years, the Sturgeon species has declined a shocking 90%, yet the CITES' 2008 claim allowed the Beluga to be hunted again. WIthout being mandated, people hunt the Sturgeon along with many Sturgeon farms, which double the chance of it's extinction(3). The sturgeon grows to be about 2,500 pounds, 15 feet long, and the women reach their reproductive age at 15 years.It reproduces every 3-4 years, and the only way to harvest it's eggs, is to kill it (3). In 2010, the Beluga Sturgeon was finally recognized as critically endangered. Scientific surveys have notably recognized a decrease in the amound of caviar exports, and this is due to the fact that there aren't enough Sturgeons to provide the rare commodity. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature confirmed these studies on March 18, and put the Sturgeon on the Red List(4). Following this notion, the United Staes made it illegal to import Sturgeon Caviar in recognition of its endangered position and also added it on The US's endangered species list.(3). Overall, the Beluga Sturgeon is in dire need of protection and reproduction to popluate itself once again, or else is can become extinct. Common Name: Beluga Sturgeon Scientific Name: Huso Huso Where does it live?: It lives in the Caspian Sea only.(3) Favorite Keystone The Honeybee is a truly amazing insect. A person may see a bee, and runaway afraid to get stung or try to kill it. Little do they know that the bee is the most beneficial insect on this planet to humans, and one of the most beneficial insects in general. Their keystone role in the world is to pollinate flowering plants to keep them growing, and also they povide honey for humans, a healthy sweetner put in many foods and a key component of the diet to maintain glucose levels(5). Their pollinating routine also benefits humans and nature nonetheless. When they go to get nectar from flowering plants, pollen sticks to their legs, and as they move from flower to flower, they transfer the pollen, allowing the new flower to be pollinated(6). Honey bees keep the life of plants going, and without them, some plants may never grow and that leads to a series of events starting from the lack of producers, then primary consumers would die out followed by secondary consumers, and eventually humans. As Albert Einstein once said "If honey bees become extinct human society will follow in four years"(5). Clearly, the Honey Bee is the most important keystone species on Earth. Common Name: Honey Bees Scientific Name: Apis Mellifera Where does it live?: They live all over the world. Coolest Predator Adaptation The polar bear have the coolest adapatations to help them survive in the Artic regions of Earth. In order to maintain warm body tempuratues, they are insulated with two layers of fur. In addition to that, they have a thick fat layer. They also have adapted to have compact ears and a small tail to prevent heat loss in -50 Degrees! This is a truly amazing adapatation because without it, these polar bears would have no chance at survival in the cold region of Earth.Their feet have papilles to keep them from slipping on ice, and powerful claws to pull out a 200 pound seal. They have acquired a keen sense of smell for tetecting seals. Their white fur is among one of the many cool adaptations they have. Although all their prey is underwater, they still blend themselves very well when it comes to preditation and always snatch their kill. The eat mainly seals, and beluga whales and walruses.With their numerous adaptations, they manage to keep nature in balance and survive.(7) Common Name: Polar Bear Scientific Name: Ursus Maritimus Where does it live?: Polar Bears live in the circumpolar north, in the countries: US (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway.(7) Coolest Prey Adaptation The Garden Tomato Hornworn or Horned Tomato Caterpillar has the coolest prey adaptations. They have numerous natural predators such as lady beetles and green lacewings that they need to protect themselves from.(8). The Caterpillar has mock eyes to frighten it's predators. It also has a fake horn on its end to scare away her predators. (9). All these adaptation help it carry on with its daily routine: To eat away at tomato leaves and other places, and eventually grow into a healthy moth. It's little legs help it to cling onto the stems of tomatoes and its tiny little arms grab the food at a high speed so that the caterpillar can quickly it and return to safety(9). It's color is also a key adapation. I blends perfectly with the color of the tomato stem to prevent it from even being spotted in the first place. It is a unique organism indeed with its adapations and warning signals to predators. Common Name: Tomato Hornworm Scientific Name: Manduca Quinquemaculata Where does it live?: On tomatoes, pepper, potato, some weeds and eggplants(9).
Most Endangered The Beluga Sturgeon, commonly mistaken for the Beluga whale, is on the verge of extinction. It has been classified as endangered due to its being overfished in pursuit of its highly treasured Caviar, supposedly the world's finest. In the past 20 years, the Sturgeon species has declined a shocking 90%, yet the CITES' 2008 claim allowed the Beluga to be hunted again. WIthout being mandated, people hunt the Sturgeon along with many Sturgeon farms, which double the chance of it's extinction(3). The sturgeon grows to be about 2,500 pounds, 15 feet long, and the women reach their reproductive age at 15 years.It reproduces every 3-4 years, and the only way to harvest it's eggs, is to kill it (3). In 2010, the Beluga Sturgeon was finally recognized as critically endangered. Scientific surveys have notably recognized a decrease in the amound of caviar exports, and this is due to the fact that there aren't enough Sturgeons to provide the rare commodity. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature confirmed these studies on March 18, and put the Sturgeon on the Red List(4). Following this notion, the United Staes made it illegal to import Sturgeon Caviar in recognition of its endangered position and also added it on The US's endangered species list.(3). Overall, the Beluga Sturgeon is in dire need of protection and reproduction to popluate itself once again, or else is can become extinct. Common Name: Beluga Sturgeon Scientific Name: Huso Huso Where does it live?: It lives in the Caspian Sea only.(3) Favorite Keystone The Honeybee is a truly amazing insect. A person may see a bee, and runaway afraid to get stung or try to kill it. Little do they know that the bee is the most beneficial insect on this planet to humans, and one of the most beneficial insects in general. Their keystone role in the world is to pollinate flowering plants to keep them growing, and also they povide honey for humans, a healthy sweetner put in many foods and a key component of the diet to maintain glucose levels(5). Their pollinating routine also benefits humans and nature nonetheless. When they go to get nectar from flowering plants, pollen sticks to their legs, and as they move from flower to flower, they transfer the pollen, allowing the new flower to be pollinated(6). Honey bees keep the life of plants going, and without them, some plants may never grow and that leads to a series of events starting from the lack of producers, then primary consumers would die out followed by secondary consumers, and eventually humans. As Albert Einstein once said "If honey bees become extinct human society will follow in four years"(5). Clearly, the Honey Bee is the most important keystone species on Earth. Common Name: Honey Bees Scientific Name: Apis Mellifera Where does it live?: They live all over the world. Coolest Predator Adaptation The polar bear have the coolest adapatations to help them survive in the Artic regions of Earth. In order to maintain warm body tempuratues, they are insulated with two layers of fur. In addition to that, they have a thick fat layer. They also have adapted to have compact ears and a small tail to prevent heat loss in -50 Degrees! This is a truly amazing adapatation because without it, these polar bears would have no chance at survival in the cold region of Earth.Their feet have papilles to keep them from slipping on ice, and powerful claws to pull out a 200 pound seal. They have acquired a keen sense of smell for tetecting seals. Their white fur is among one of the many cool adaptations they have. Although all their prey is underwater, they still blend themselves very well when it comes to preditation and always snatch their kill. The eat mainly seals, and beluga whales and walruses.With their numerous adaptations, they manage to keep nature in balance and survive.(7) Common Name: Polar Bear Scientific Name: Ursus Maritimus Where does it live?: Polar Bears live in the circumpolar north, in the countries: US (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway.(7) Coolest Prey Adaptation The Garden Tomato Hornworn or Horned Tomato Caterpillar has the coolest prey adaptations. They have numerous natural predators such as lady beetles and green lacewings that they need to protect themselves from.(8). The Caterpillar has mock eyes to frighten it's predators. It also has a fake horn on its end to scare away her predators. (9). All these adaptation help it carry on with its daily routine: To eat away at tomato leaves and other places, and eventually grow into a healthy moth. It's little legs help it to cling onto the stems of tomatoes and its tiny little arms grab the food at a high speed so that the caterpillar can quickly it and return to safety(9). It's color is also a key adapation. I blends perfectly with the color of the tomato stem to prevent it from even being spotted in the first place. It is a unique organism indeed with its adapations and warning signals to predators. Common Name: Tomato Hornworm Scientific Name: Manduca Quinquemaculata Where does it live?: On tomatoes, pepper, potato, some weeds and eggplants(9).
Favorite Keystone The Honeybee is a truly amazing insect. A person may see a bee, and runaway afraid to get stung or try to kill it. Little do they know that the bee is the most beneficial insect on this planet to humans, and one of the most beneficial insects in general. Their keystone role in the world is to pollinate flowering plants to keep them growing, and also they povide honey for humans, a healthy sweetner put in many foods and a key component of the diet to maintain glucose levels(5). Their pollinating routine also benefits humans and nature nonetheless. When they go to get nectar from flowering plants, pollen sticks to their legs, and as they move from flower to flower, they transfer the pollen, allowing the new flower to be pollinated(6). Honey bees keep the life of plants going, and without them, some plants may never grow and that leads to a series of events starting from the lack of producers, then primary consumers would die out followed by secondary consumers, and eventually humans. As Albert Einstein once said "If honey bees become extinct human society will follow in four years"(5). Clearly, the Honey Bee is the most important keystone species on Earth. Common Name: Honey Bees Scientific Name: Apis Mellifera Where does it live?: They live all over the world. Coolest Predator Adaptation The polar bear have the coolest adapatations to help them survive in the Artic regions of Earth. In order to maintain warm body tempuratues, they are insulated with two layers of fur. In addition to that, they have a thick fat layer. They also have adapted to have compact ears and a small tail to prevent heat loss in -50 Degrees! This is a truly amazing adapatation because without it, these polar bears would have no chance at survival in the cold region of Earth.Their feet have papilles to keep them from slipping on ice, and powerful claws to pull out a 200 pound seal. They have acquired a keen sense of smell for tetecting seals. Their white fur is among one of the many cool adaptations they have. Although all their prey is underwater, they still blend themselves very well when it comes to preditation and always snatch their kill. The eat mainly seals, and beluga whales and walruses.With their numerous adaptations, they manage to keep nature in balance and survive.(7) Common Name: Polar Bear Scientific Name: Ursus Maritimus Where does it live?: Polar Bears live in the circumpolar north, in the countries: US (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway.(7) Coolest Prey Adaptation The Garden Tomato Hornworn or Horned Tomato Caterpillar has the coolest prey adaptations. They have numerous natural predators such as lady beetles and green lacewings that they need to protect themselves from.(8). The Caterpillar has mock eyes to frighten it's predators. It also has a fake horn on its end to scare away her predators. (9). All these adaptation help it carry on with its daily routine: To eat away at tomato leaves and other places, and eventually grow into a healthy moth. It's little legs help it to cling onto the stems of tomatoes and its tiny little arms grab the food at a high speed so that the caterpillar can quickly it and return to safety(9). It's color is also a key adapation. I blends perfectly with the color of the tomato stem to prevent it from even being spotted in the first place. It is a unique organism indeed with its adapations and warning signals to predators. Common Name: Tomato Hornworm Scientific Name: Manduca Quinquemaculata Where does it live?: On tomatoes, pepper, potato, some weeds and eggplants(9).
Coolest Predator Adaptation The polar bear have the coolest adapatations to help them survive in the Artic regions of Earth. In order to maintain warm body tempuratues, they are insulated with two layers of fur. In addition to that, they have a thick fat layer. They also have adapted to have compact ears and a small tail to prevent heat loss in -50 Degrees! This is a truly amazing adapatation because without it, these polar bears would have no chance at survival in the cold region of Earth.Their feet have papilles to keep them from slipping on ice, and powerful claws to pull out a 200 pound seal. They have acquired a keen sense of smell for tetecting seals. Their white fur is among one of the many cool adaptations they have. Although all their prey is underwater, they still blend themselves very well when it comes to preditation and always snatch their kill. The eat mainly seals, and beluga whales and walruses.With their numerous adaptations, they manage to keep nature in balance and survive.(7) Common Name: Polar Bear Scientific Name: Ursus Maritimus Where does it live?: Polar Bears live in the circumpolar north, in the countries: US (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway.(7) Coolest Prey Adaptation The Garden Tomato Hornworn or Horned Tomato Caterpillar has the coolest prey adaptations. They have numerous natural predators such as lady beetles and green lacewings that they need to protect themselves from.(8). The Caterpillar has mock eyes to frighten it's predators. It also has a fake horn on its end to scare away her predators. (9). All these adaptation help it carry on with its daily routine: To eat away at tomato leaves and other places, and eventually grow into a healthy moth. It's little legs help it to cling onto the stems of tomatoes and its tiny little arms grab the food at a high speed so that the caterpillar can quickly it and return to safety(9). It's color is also a key adapation. I blends perfectly with the color of the tomato stem to prevent it from even being spotted in the first place. It is a unique organism indeed with its adapations and warning signals to predators. Common Name: Tomato Hornworm Scientific Name: Manduca Quinquemaculata Where does it live?: On tomatoes, pepper, potato, some weeds and eggplants(9).
Coolest Prey Adaptation The Garden Tomato Hornworn or Horned Tomato Caterpillar has the coolest prey adaptations. They have numerous natural predators such as lady beetles and green lacewings that they need to protect themselves from.(8). The Caterpillar has mock eyes to frighten it's predators. It also has a fake horn on its end to scare away her predators. (9). All these adaptation help it carry on with its daily routine: To eat away at tomato leaves and other places, and eventually grow into a healthy moth. It's little legs help it to cling onto the stems of tomatoes and its tiny little arms grab the food at a high speed so that the caterpillar can quickly it and return to safety(9). It's color is also a key adapation. I blends perfectly with the color of the tomato stem to prevent it from even being spotted in the first place. It is a unique organism indeed with its adapations and warning signals to predators. Common Name: Tomato Hornworm Scientific Name: Manduca Quinquemaculata Where does it live?: On tomatoes, pepper, potato, some weeds and eggplants(9).