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☆ From non-native bluegrass in Antarctica to beautiful spotted bugs in the middle of NYC, here are 5 invasive species that are as stunning as they are threatening to humanity
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Here are 5 of the most obvious examples of how invasive species are impacting all of us right now. Scientists say invasive species are one of the top five drivers of biodiversity loss worldwide (alongside other environmental issues like pollution and climate change). The authors of the new UN report estimate that only about 6% of non-native plants and 11% of non-native microbes are invasive species. AdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, invasive species are an outsized driver of animal and plant extinctions, contributing to over half (60%) of them. Even Antarctica isn't safe from the threat of invaders like a non-native bluegrassPoa annua is an annual bluegrass species native to Eurasia.

Persons: Peter Stoett —, Stoett, we're, Gary Hershorn, Michael M, Joe Biden, Mandel Ngan, Melani Spielman, it's, Dan Kitwood, Wolfgang Kaehler, South America —, Kilian Fichou, Hu Weibin, Anibal Pauchard Organizations: UN, Service, United Nations, Ontario Tech University, Washington Post, Services, East, New, US Department of Agriculture, Getty, Cornell University, South America, Publishing, University of Concepción Locations: New York, Antarctica, New York City, China, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York , New Jersey , Michigan, Ohio, Inwood, Park, Maui, Marine, AFP, Waimea Valley, Africa, Hawaii, Somoria, Guinea, South America, Brazil, Kenya, Bangladesh, Florida, South, Europe, Lakes, Lake Ontario, Canada, Great, North America, Michigan, Eurasia, Chile

☆ Winter heat wave in Chile offers 'window' to warmer world
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SANTIAGO, Aug 3 (Reuters) - A winter heat wave bringing historically high temperatures to Chile is a "window" to an increasingly warm future, according to scientists. "Having temperatures of 37 degrees (99 degrees Fahrenheit) in the middle of southern winter is extraordinary," said Raul Cordero, a climatologist at the University of Santiago. He added that while it's often hard to establish a connection between extreme weather events and climate change, temperatures in parts of Chile have been breaking records year after year. "Winter high-temperature events do affect the spring flow rate that can be expected from melt," Jacques said. According to the latest service reports, high temperatures in the north and center of the country will last all week.

Persons: SANTIAGO, Martin Jacques, Raul Cordero, Jacques, El Nino, Jorge Vega, Natalia Ramos, Alexander Villegas Organizations: Southern, Chile's University of Concepcion, University of Santiago, Thomson Locations: Chile

☆ Chile's firefighting goats protect a native forest from deadly blazes
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Juan Gonzalez | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The goats have already saved the native forest of the Bosques de Chacay once, preventing the park from being consumed by February forest fires - fueled by heatwaves and a punishing drought - that left dozens dead, thousands injured and almost 440,000 hectares destroyed in south-central Chile. The technique, also used in Portugal and Spain, relies on grazing goats to control dry pastures and other vegetation that fuel forest fires in the summer. Cruces started the project after deadly wildfires in 2017. Her flock has since grown from 16 goats to 150 and she hopes to inspire others to follow suit. "These animals can help us a lot," Di Napoli said, adding that other organizations should "evaluate where it can be applied, find where there's fuel and have the goats eat it."

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