Knowing where a weed has come from can improve its management, but this quest can be challenging. CSIRO detective work revealed an unusual pathway for the introduction of South African bitou bush.
Published in 1962, ‘Silent Spring’ called attention to collateral damage from widespread use of synthetic pesticides. Many problems the book anticipated persist today in new forms.
A woman cuts “bodwe”, an edible weed that is often sold at markets in Lusaka, Zambia.
Alysha Vehre
The herbicide revolution reduces the availability of edible weeds, which may undermine food and nutrition security.
Soybean plants on an Arkansas farm. Those at left show signs of damage from dicamba; others at right were planted later in the season.
Washington Post via Getty Images
Farmers are stuck in a chemical war against weeds, which have developed resistance to many widely used herbicides. Seed companies’ answer – using more varied herbicides – is causing new problems.
Not all Australian native species belong in all Australian environments. In fact, many Australian plant species have become pests in places far from their original homes. Could some be in your garden?
Containers of the herbicide glyphosate at a farm supply store in northeast Thailand in 2019.
AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit
Roundup may be taking a beating in the US, where three juries have concluded that it gave plaintiffs cancer, but it’s still widely used around the globe.
Willow invasion on Happy Valley Creek in north east Victoria.
Author provided; Happy Valley Creek, Victoria
Invasive species have been invading foreign territories for centuries. By quantifying the mammoth economic impacts, we hope political leaders will start to take notice.
I collected data about my neighbourhood sulphur-crested cockatoos while stuck home in Melbourne’s lockdown. I learned that each bird can eat 200 onion grass plants per hour.
The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted interest in home gardening. Three scientists who garden explain some basic methods for controlling common insects and microbes that can spoil your crop.
A restored prairie in southern Michigan.
Lars Brudvig
Restoring former prairies that have been plowed under for farming delivers land, wildlife and climate benefits. But a new study finds that the weather plays a surprising role.
New Zealand is pumping millions of dollars into environment projects as part of its COVID-19 recovery. Australia’s recovery plan seems more destructive than reconstructive.
Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Models Theme Leader for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Flinders University