As humans spread invasive species around and alter fire regimes, we change the basic functioning of single keystone species, which ultimately radiates to other species. With whitebark pines declining from 40%-90% throughout their range, these high elevation regions are drastically being transformed. Grizzly bears depend on these fatty pine nuts to get them through the harshest winter months when little else is available. As these tree populations decrease, the fight for survival intensifies. It is time we all think about plant conservation and our role as humans in protecting these truly wild places. I’m here to remind you, and remind myself, that the struggle for survival in Yellowstone is ramping up, and that the decimation of one species radiates throughout the food web, which increases competition, which unfortunately increases the rates of human-bear conflicts.
Read moreSarcosoma globosum, an indicator of climate change
Sarcosoma globosum. By Irene Andersson.
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Read moreFungi Friday; the snake fungal disease Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola
Sistrurus catenatus infected by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, the culprit of the snake fungal disease (SFD). Allender et al. 2015.
A lesser known fungal parasite is well established in North America and recent surveys show its spreading. Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola causes snake fungal disease (SFD) and has serious potential to change the way ecosystems function. Many predatory snake species provide top down control in a variety of ecosystems in the United States and Europe, and ultimately permit more species diversity. This fungus shares many ecological similarities with other destructive general fungal parasites, so it is not to be taken lightly.
Read moreFungi Friday; The mighty Agarikon (Laricifomes officinalis)
The mighty Agarikon-Laricifomes officinalis. Photo by Tim Sage.
Agarikon symbolizes the current state of our planet. If we fight for our ecosystems, they will fight for us.
Read moreThe influence of human deposited nitrogen on plants and their fungal mutualist
Beneath the forest floor, N deposition is changing plant-fungal nutrient dynamics.
Activities like crop fertilization, and the combustion of fossil fuels is allowing massive amounts of nitrogen to be deposited to ecosystems around the world. A main response is the seemingly simple shift towards less functioning mycorrhizae. This actually has a pronounced impact on the entire ecosystem.
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