Thursday, 9 February, 2012

Is Madison, Wisconsin in a snow belt? What is the origin of the term? While the lakes around Madison provide many winter recreation activities, the local lakes do not yield a snow belt. Map by Pierre cb We refer to agricultural regions in the United States as ‘belts’, such as the cotton belt and wheat [...]

Many of the tastiest crops can’t pollinate themselves: melons, cucumbers, strawberries, almonds, cacao. But pollinators — both native and managed — are under threat from diseases and pesticides. They aren’t finding enough to eat. Their colonies are dying. What can we do?

The gray wolf has made a dramatic recovery in the northern Rockies and upper Midwest. Is the wolf still endangered, or has it recovered? Should we start hunting and killing the dog wild relatives?

The number of Canada geese in Wisconsin is very much on the rise, increasing exponentially since standardized bird counts began in 1966, according to Stan Temple, professor of wildlife ecology at UW-Madison. “If you go to any park or golf course in Madison, you have to watch where you step for all the goose poop,” [...]

How does dam removal restore rivers to health, and how long does it take?

Massive killing of deer to fight epidemic of chronic wasting disease in Wisconsin. Should we let this thing run its course, or try to depopulate the deer herd?

Before some building projects, salvage archaeologists save what they can. What can you learn with a quick-and-dirty dig? Is it worth the hassle?

Alien earthworms are killing trees in northern deciduous forests. Are fishing people to blame?