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| Polistes dominula visiting Scrophularia scorodonia |
While
the world is rightly applauding the key workers, who are risking
their lives to keep the rest of us going during this period of
upheaval, I thought that this would be a good opportunity to praise
some of the smaller key workers that are also ensuring that life goes
on. Insect pollinators, like this Paper Wasp, Polistes dominula
complex, currently en route to a Balm-leaved Figwort,
Scrophularia scorodonia, pollinate over 80%
of plants, and that includes over a third of the crops which we
depend upon.
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| Levant Blackbird, Turdus merula ssp. Syriacus |
It
is not only the pollen that needs to be transported, so do the seeds.
So let’s hear it for the logistics crew. Burrs attach themselves to
furry mammals; birds, such as this Levant Blackbird, Turdus merula
ssp. Syriacus, distribute seeds through their gastrointestinal
systems, thus manuring them as they inadvertently plant them; and
some Harvester Ants cache seeds in pastures new. These are just some
of the ways in which the plant and animal worlds interact on our
behalf.
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| Dung Beetles from https://www.west-crete.com/dailypics/crete-2006/4-26-06.shtm |
All
of these plants get consumed, not only by ourselves and our
livestock, but by a host of other creatures as well, which produces
an awful lot of dung. A big hand please, for the six thousand or so
species of Dung Beetle around the world, without whom – well, it
doesn’t bear thinking about.*
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| Maritime Sunburst Lichen, Xanthoria parietina |
The
health workers need no introduction, from the fly maggots that are
still used to treat festering wounds, and the blood-letting leeches,
to the myriad plants and their compounds without which, we would have
no pharmaceutical industry. Even this humble, and commonplace,
Maritime Sunburst Lichen, Xanthoria parietina, is currently
helping scientists with their inquiries into finding a cure for
breast cancer.*
 |
| E. coli growth from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteria |
And
finally, the smallest but most important key workers of all, the
bacteria. They often only make it into the newspapers when they are
doing us harm, such as an E. coli outbreak, but there are far
more good guys out there. They are nature’s undertakers; laying the
dead to rest and recycling the bodies so that life can begin again,
with the plants that are pollinated by the etc. etc. etc. And without
the bacteria in our guts, we wouldn’t even be able to digest the
food that nature supplies.
So,
a big thank you to all key workers, human and otherwise, that are
helping to keep the rest of us going.
*
Articles
on Dung Beetles and the potential cancer treatments using Sunburst
Lichen can be found in the facebook Naturalists
group
that accompanies this blog.
See sample pages of all my books and latest blogs, and keep abreast of latest publications here:
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All
you need to know to identify any type of insect, spider, worm or
snail very simply and find out more about it.
Yvonne:
This
was a gift for a family so that the children can understand what
they see on days out. The second was for me. Logical and easy to
use. If you know anyone who likes nature you can be confident that
gifting this book will give years of pleasure.
|
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The
Eggs of Saramova
A
science fiction novella for those who don't like science fiction.
A fast-paced thriller that is, literally, out of this world (and
it starts right here in Crete).
Too
new for reviews yet!
|
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A
light-hearted look at life through the eyes of the fairer sex.
Janet:
If
you are short on time but enjoy reading and are maybe not into
long extended novels then Not Just For... Twisted Women provides
readers with concise stories that stand alone and most certainly
entertain with their ultimate twists. Loved it.
Helen:
A
very good read! Well written and entertaining!
Margaret:
Each
quick tale gives a glimpse into a character's life and has an
often humorous twist at the end. I would love to read more.
Yvonne:
These
days many people find it hard to find the time to read a novel, so
this book of short stories is ideal to dip into. It is also makes
a good gift.
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Crete
Nature Catch-up
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*********************************************************************
LINKS:
Share
your nature thoughts, photos and comments on Naturalists
(the
facebook page that accompanies this blog)
Explore
the region with the #CreteNature interactive Hiking
and Nature Map
Thanks for the latest blog Steve. It brought back two memories. Firstly, on our visits to Greece, while others lay on the beaches, Peter and I walked. I remember us stopping to observe a dung beetle, doing what dung beetles do but instead of pushing with its front legs, it was its rear end that was doing all the work. The second, relates to a girlfriend of our eldest son who had a holiday job at a local hospital. She thought they were having a laugh when she was asked to order maggots.
ReplyDeleteHopefully it won't be too long before you can come back and create some more memories.
DeleteFairly safe to say, our travelling days are over. Greece has had a profound effect on how we live our lives. Making our memories here now, in Norfolk.
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