Some ecology questions are timeless 11/29/2009 12:31 AM By WHIT GIBBONS Columnist
I received the following environmental questions within the last few days. And in keeping with the spirit of a true Thanksgiving Day feast, they are many and varied.
Q. A few of us in my ecology class have wondered why animals cease to breed during times of famine and drought whereas humans do not. I realize that where there is poverty, there are more offspring to provide support and labor, but what is the physiological difference?
A. That is an interesting question, but the premise is too broad to draw any conclusions. To say that "animals" cease to breed during adverse times is probably not accurate. I imagine there are circumstances in which vertebrates, invertebrates and even plants continue to breed although food is limited. Equally there are almost certainly cases when individuals within the human species cease breeding when conditions are unfavorable. The question can only be answered on a case-by-case basis. However, if you ask why different species or individuals within species, including humans, might respond differently to adverse environmental conditions, you will have an excellent topic for a class.
Q. During a warm spell last week, my dad discovered some newly hatched painted turtles, which he proceeded to pick up and put in a bucket on our kitchen counter. I did some research and found that baby turtles, will survive fine during the winter in our large pond. The turtles have been living in a shallow dish with about one inch of water and a few rocks for three days. Should we return the hatchlings to the pond to live out the winter, or would they have a better chance of survival inside in a dish or tank?
A. The hatchling turtles will be OK if you put them in the pond for the winter; a heavily vegetated area next to the shore would probably be best. They will find places to hibernate during the coldest periods and then emerge during the spring and start feeding.
Q. While Critter Sitting, I found what I believe to be a very young Mediterranean gecko inside the home; then I saw one outside on her window. I was able to catch the one in her home and now have it in a terrarium. The second gecko outside escaped capture. I was shocked to find two geckos in our area and figure someone has freed pet geckos in our neighborhood in South Carolina. Since this is an invader, should I free the gecko, or keep it? Or perhaps you and your staff would like it for educational purposes.
A. Mediterranean geckos are being reported from many cities across the Southeast from the Carolinas to Louisiana. They seem to be innocuous invaders as far as native lizards go, so I wouldn't worry about releasing one outside. If you want to read more, visit www.uga.edu/srelherp/lizards/hemtur.htm.
Q. We are discussing human populations in different regions of the world in my general ecology class in college. In your opinion, what are the two most critical environmental problems in Bangladesh, and how can we mitigate these problems?
A. The two biggest problems are overpopulation and widespread poverty. The problem of too many people has no simple mitigation measure, but solving that will solve the other issue.
Q. Can you tell me what a group of squid is called? A squad? A school? I've tried to look it up, but I haven't seen anything that says, "A group of squid is called --." I would really like to know.
A. As you are no doubt aware, a collective noun is a word that describes a group of things. And collective nouns for animals are an exercise in creativity, from a shrewdness of apes to a pod of baby alligators, a murder of crows, an exaltation of larks and a scold of jays. I believe the most common word to describe a cohesive group of squid is "shoal."
Send environmental questions to ecoviews@gmail.com.
Whit Gibbons is an ecologist and environmental educator with the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory.
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