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Ilulissat Icefjord

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Ilulissat Icefjord

Ilulissat Icefjord makes even white a stunning site.

  • Ilulissat Icefjord is a glacier-carved channel of water found in the coastal area of west Greenland, near the town of Ilulissat.
  • ‘Ilulissat Icefjord’ is also known as ‘Ilulissat Isfjord’ in Danish and ‘Illulissat Kangia’ in native Greenlandic.
  • Ilulissat Icefjord is typically littered with icebergs as a result of ice breaking from the Jakobshavn glacier, or ‘Sermeq Kujalleq’ as it is called in Greenlandic, that feeds into the fjord, and large icebergs typically bank up at the mouth of the fjord as the water there is not deep enough for the icebergs to pass through.
  • In 2004, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention designated Ilulissat Icefjord as a World Heritage Site, and fjord has an area of approximately 40,240 hectares (99,435 acres).
  • The glacier of Ilulissat Icefjord, the Jakobshavn glacier, disperses 10% of all the ice released from Greenland’s glaciers, which equates to 46 cubic kilometres (11 cubic miles) per year, a figure greater than any other glacier in the world apart from those in Antarctica, and as of 2015, it moves approximately 40 metres (131 feet) a day, making it the fastest on earth, and it is gathering speed each year.
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Part of the Ilulissat Icefjord
Image courtesy of Greenland Travel/Flickr
  • Due to the unique nature of Ilulissat Icefjord and its significant ice formations, the area is a site of extensive research that has been undertaken for centuries, and as a result is said to facilitate insight into climate change.
  • Ilulissat Icefjord begins at the Jakobshavn glacier, that forms from the Greenlandic ice sheet which covers most of the country, and exits into Disko Bay.
  • As a protected area, and for safety reasons, Ilulissat Icefjord has restrictions on various transport methods in the area, and visitors to the area may make use of scenic helicopter flights; dog sledding; or hiking on foot; and while there is generally an opportunity to sail around the mouth of the fjord, boating is restricted in the fjord.
  • Icebergs that travel from Ilulissat Icefjord, move into Disko Bay and out into Baffin Bay, and eventually into the North Atlantic Ocean.
  • Among the best times of year to visit Ilulissat Icefjord is during the summer when the sun never sleeps, causing the sky to silhouette in bright oranges behind the ice.
Bibliography:
Destubatuib Avannaavisit the Ilulissat Icefjord, n.d, Ilulissat Kangia, http://kangia.gl/Besoeg%20isfjorden.aspx?sc_lang=en
Ilulissat Icefjord, 2016, UNESCO World Heritage Convention, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1149
Ilulissat Icefjord, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilulissat_Icefjord
Woodall S, Ilulissat Icefjord, n.d, Greenland, http://www.greenland.com/en/things-to-do/nature-experiences/ilulissat-icefjord/

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Buddha’s Hand

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Buddha’s Hand

Are you’re eating someone’s hand when you’re eating Buddha’s hand?

  • Buddha’s hands are a variety of citrus fruit notable for growing numerous finger-like ‘tentacles’.
  • ‘Buddha’s hands’ are also known as ‘fingered citrons’, ‘fragrant citrons’, ‘five fingered mandarins’, and ‘goblin fingers’.
  • The Buddha’s hand fruit grows on trees with the scientific name Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis, a variety of citron, and it comes from the family Rutaceae, the family of citrus.
  • When ripe, the finger-like appendages of Buddha’s hands generally spread outward to take the appearance of an open hand.
  • The colour of ripe Buddha’s hands range from bright yellow to orange-gold shades, while unripe fruit is usually coloured green.
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Buddha’s Hand
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
  • Buddha’s hands grow on a plant thought to be native to parts of India and possibly China, both in Asia.
  • Buddha’s hands contain next to no juice and have little pulp, with many specimens containing no seeds either, and this results in a fruit which is virtually all pith and rind.
  • A pleasant aroma is released from Buddha’s hands, and as such, the fruit can be used as a perfume or to freshen air in buildings.
  • Buddha’s hands reach a length of 15 to 30 centimetres (6 to 12 inches), and the rind and the pith of the fruit do not usually have the bitterness typical with other citrus fruits.
  • Buddha’s hands are often candied and made into jams, while pieces of the fruit can be added to both savoury and sweet dishes, and the zest can be used to flavour alcoholic beverages, baked goods, marinades, and other food dishes.
Bibliography:
Buddha’s Hand, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha%27s_hand
Citron ‘Buddhas Hand’ – Citrus Medica var. Sarcodactylis, 2016, van Veen Organics, http://vanveenorganics.com/product/citron-buddhas-hand/
Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis, n.d, Missouri Botanical Garden, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=e864
Osborne T, Buddha Hand Citron: Growing this Amazing Tree, 2013, Tasty Landscape, http://tastylandscape.com/2013/07/05/buddha-hand-citron-growing-this-amazing-looking-tree/

Oriental Fire-bellied Toad

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Oriental Fire-bellied Toad

Maybe one day someone will see an oriental fire-bellied toad combust.

  • Oriental fire-bellied toads are a species of frog native to Korea, southern parts of Japan, northeastern areas of China and south-eastern sections of Russia.
  • The scientific name of an oriental fire-bellied toad is Bombina orientalis and it is from the family Bombinatoridae, the family of fire-bellied toads.
  • Oriental fire-bellied toads grow to be 3.5 to 8 centimetres (1.4 to 3 inches) in length and weigh 28 to 56 grams (1 to 2 ounces).
  • Oriental fire-bellied toads have a green to brownish-grey coloured back with wart like bumps, sometimes accompanied by black spots, that helps them to blend into their surroundings, and are a vivid red to yellow colour on the underside, spotted with black.
  • The bright colour of the underside of an oriental fire-bellied toad signifies that it is poisonous and will release toxic secretions, and to scare off predators it can arch its back and display its colourful belly.
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Oriental Fire-bellied Toad
Image courtesy of Ryan Somma/Flickr
  • Somewhat still streams and small water pools, in a variety of forest habitats, are the haven of oriental fire-bellied toads.
  • Female oriental fire-bellied toads generally lay between 40 to 250 eggs at a time, deposited in and around aquatic vegetation.
  • The diet of oriental fire-bellied toads consists of worms, molluscs, algae, insects, fungi, and spiders, and they can have a lifespan up to 20 years in the wild.
  • Oriental fire-bellied toads are commonly kept as pets, as they are fairly easy to care for, although caution needs to be taken when handling the toads, to avoid being irritated by their poison.
  • Oriental fire-bellied toad pupils can be of a triangular shape, and its tongue cannot extend, unlike many other frog species.
Bibliography:
Szcodronski T, Bombina orientalis, 2006, Animal Diversity Web, http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bombina_orientalis/
Oriental Fire-bellied Toad, 2016, National Geographic, http://animals.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/amphibians/oriental-fire-bellied-toad
Oriental Fire-bellied Toad, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_fire-bellied_toad
Oriental Fire-bellied Toad Fact Sheet, n.d, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/reptilesamphibians/facts/factsheets/orientalfirebelliedtoad.cfm

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Broadleaf Carpet Grass

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Broadleaf Carpet Grass

Broadleaf carpet grass is your friendly neighbourhood carpet!

  • Broadleaf carpet grass is a perennial species of grass, native to Central and South America, and southern North America.
  • ‘Broadleaf carpet grass’ is also known as ‘carpet grass’, ‘tropical carpet grass’, ‘blanket grass’, ‘Louisiana grass’, ‘lawn grass’, ‘cow grass’, and ‘savannah grass’.
  • The scientific name of broadleaf carpet grass is Axonopus compressus, from the family Poaceae, the family of grasses, and it is similar in appearance to the closely related Axonopus fissifolius (sometimes known as Axonopus affinis).
  • Broadleaf carpet grass is typically used as a form of groundcover, often as a lawn or for pasture, as it can form a dense covering over the ground and can help reduce erosion.
  • The height of broadleaf carpet grass can reach up to 15 centimetres (6 inches), and the plant produces stems up to 45 cm (18 inches) high, where the seeds are formed.

Broadleaf Carpet Grass, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Vegetation, Plant, Growing, America, Australia,

  • Broadleaf carpet grass can grow well in moist soil that is of poor quality, and it is best grown in shade.
  • Countries with warm moist climates, such as areas of Australia and South East Asia, have seen the introduction of broadleaf carpet grass, where the plant is often considered an invasive weed.
  • Broadleaf carpet grass leaf blades range from 2 to 16 cm (0.8 to 6.3 inches) in length and they are between 0.2 to 1.8 centimetres (0.1 to 0.7 inches) wide, and they feature fine hairs on the outer edges and around the nodes.
  • Broadleaf carpet grass plants spread easily, as roots can form at each node, creating a connected root system, and the plant can also be grown from seed.
  • When healthy, broadleaf carpet grass is a vivid green colour, blending into purple/red colours at the base of the leaves.
Bibliography:
Axonopus compressus, n.d, Tropical Forages, http://www.tropicalforages.info/key/Forages/Media/Html/Axonopus_compressus.htm
Axonopus compressus (carpet grass), 2016, CABI, http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/8094
Axonopus compressus (Swartz) Beauv., n.d, FAO, http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/AGPC/doc/gbase/data/Pf000180.HTM
Broad-leaved Carpet Grass, 2011, Queensland Government, http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/03030800-0b07-490a-8d04-0605030c0f01/media/Html/Axonopus_compressus.htm

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Insect Repellent

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Insect Repellent

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. That’s insect repellent for you.

  • Insect repellents are a compound that is put onto a surface, typically the skin, to deter insects from the surface and the immediate surrounding area.
  • ‘Insect repellent’ is also known as ‘bug spray’, and the best repellents ward off insects like mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, flies, and mites.
  • Both natural and synthetic ingredient versions of insect repellents are available; however synthetic versions, in general, produce better results; and while ultrasonic technology has been experimented with as a form of repellent, studies have proven it to have a lack of effectiveness.
  • Typically, insect repellents are available as an aerosol spray; roll-on liquid; a cream; or a gel, although some repellents are in the form of an object, like candles; wrist bands; mosquito coils; and clothing or nets typically treated with permethrin.
  • Various communities have utilised natural insect repellents since ancient times, typically obtained from vegetation or other insects, or by burning a natural chemical or plant material.

Insect Repellent, Bug Spray, Mosquito, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Invention, Chemical, Can, Tube

Insect Repellents
Image courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr
  • Synthetic exploration of insect repellents began in the 1920s, and it wasn’t until 1944 when a particularly effective repellent was discovered, known as DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide also known as ‘diethyltoluamide’), first used by United States military in World War II; and it has been the main active ingredient in most repellents sold since the 1950s, due to its ability to deter most disease-ridden biting insects; its notable safety record; and its long-lasting effects.
  • How insect repellents exactly repel insects is uncertain, although it is hypothesised that the repellents masks certain human molecules that are detected by and attract insects.
  • While a product like DEET, in rare circumstances can cause undesirable reactions, it is considered fairly safe, especially in the adult population, however, insect repellent can be hazardous, especially if used for extended periods in high doses, and it may cause adverse effects to the human body, especially in very young children and potentially in unborn babies.
  • Insect repellents can provide protection from three to twelve hours, with shorter lengths typically attributed to lower active ingredient concentrations, while longer times usually result from higher concentrations of the active ingredient.
  • Substantially more effective insect repellents than the commonly used DEET are presently in testing processes, while the relatively new picaridin (also known as ‘icaridin’) has become a rival on the market; while lemon eucalyptus oil has been discovered to have an effectiveness similar to DEET, unlike the once commonly used citronella oil which needs reapplying every half hour or so to remain effective.
Bibliography:
A Brief History of Insect Repellents, Part 1, 2010, Incognito, http://www.avoidingbites.com/a-brief-history-of-insect-repellents-part-1/
DEET, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEET
Insect Repellent, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_repellent
Katz T, Miller J & Hebert A, Insect repellents: Historical perspectives and new developments, 2008, Journel of the American Academy of Dermatology, http://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622%2807%2901467-3/pdf
Keim B, DEET Mosquito Repellent Could Lose Its Bite, 2010, Wired, http://www.wired.com/2010/05/deet-resistance/

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Svalbard Global Seed Vault

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Svalbard Global Seed Vault

Svalbard Global Seed Vault is a backup for even a doomsday!

  • The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is a facility that stores seed samples in a secure vault in a mountain not far from the town of Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen, a remote northern island of Europe’s Norway.
  • The Svalbard Global Seed Vault was built as a backup for worldwide flora, particularly crops, in the case of a natural disaster, war, disease or other phenomena wiping out a certain seed or crop plant, or a whole seed bank.
  • Three organisations manage the Svalbard Global Seed Vault – the Norwegian Government, the Global Crop Diversity Trust and NordGen (Nordic Genetic Resource Center).
  • The construction of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault first commenced in mid 2006, a day commemorated by the Finnish, Danish, Swedish, Icelandic and Norwegian prime ministers laying down the first brick; and the building was complete and had its official opening on the 26th February 2008.
  • The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is named after the archipelago ‘Svalbard’, of which the Spitsbergen island where the vault is located is a part, and the site was chosen for its natural preservation characteristics of sub-zero ground temperatures; a structurally stable environment; and significant height above sea level.

Svalberd Global Seed Vault, Bank, Norway, Place, Storage, Doomsday, Ice, Isolated, Long, Frozen

Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Image courtesy of Landbruks/Flickr
  • At the entrance face and the roof of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, there is an illuminated artwork which includes reflective metals to aid visibility from a distance; and the vault covers an area of around 1,000 square metres (10,764 square feet) and sits at an elevation of 130 metres (427 feet).
  • The Svalbard Global Seed Vault cost a total of US $9 million, which was financed solely by the Norwegian Government, and the building is said to be safe from nuclear bomb threats, earthquakes and other major catastrophes.
  • Norway does not own the seed contents of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, as it works much like a bank safety deposit box, in that whoever deposits the seeds, owns the seeds.
  • In 2015, there were around 5100 species over 860,000 samples, where a sample consists of around 500 individual seeds, in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, and this figure grows each year, while the facility has the space to accommodate 4.5 million varieties or 2.5 billion seeds.
  • The Svalbard Global Seed Vault was constructed under the initiative of American Carly Fowler, an agriculturalist, in conjunction with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research.
Bibliography:
Anderson R, After 4 Years, Checking Up on the Svalberd Global Seed Vault, 2012, The Atlantic, http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/02/after-4-years-checking-up-on-the-svalbard-global-seed-vault/253458/
Svalbard Global Seed Vault, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Global_Seed_Vault
Svalbard Global Seed Vault, n.d, Crop Trust, https://www.croptrust.org/what-we-do/svalbard-global-seed-vault/
Wade L, That Arctic Seed Vault Isn’t Just There For A Doomsday, 2015, Wired, http://www.wired.com/2015/09/arctic-seed-vault-isnt-just-doomsday/

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