Over 3,000 amateur scientists, led by 120 actual scientists, spent the weekend trolling L.A.’s backcountry, feverishly counting creatures, according to the LA Times. The survey is the second in a 10-hunt annual series leading up to the National Park Service’s 100th birthday in 2016. The 24-hour community event began on Friday at noon. The California counters tracked 1,500 species—mostly rats and mice—weighed them, Replica Breitling Montbrillant Olympus Men's Watch and sent them on their way. Participants also counted birds, fish, and a healthy rattler. BioBlitz, as it’s called, is intended to give participants, many of them schoolchildren, a rare opportunity to appreciate the wildlife in their own cities. Organizers tout the fun to be had while tallying, explaining that while the wannabe biologists aren’t exactly encountering “charismatic megafauna” (scientist speak for big, cool animals like pandas and condors) there’s something to be said for tracking pocket mouse droppings and spotting a woodrat. -Claire Napier Galofaro
Weve heard about how global warming-related drought is causing rice shortfalls in Asia and sub par wheat crops in Australia, but heres a new climate-change related agricultural problem, as pointed out by environmental blog 350: a dearth of maple syrup. OK, so its hardly as serious as a rice famine, but its still concerning. Warmer winters and springs have made for some of the worst sap seasons ever in New England and Canada, Replica Breitling Navitimer Men watch and the drop in production is causing syrup prices to rise like the cost of oil. Its just another sign that climate change is rapidly affecting the worlds food supply. Possible future? Pouring colored high fructose corn syrup on our fortified soy waffles as we breakfast in our Jetsons houses, on poles above the rising seas. --Emily Matchar
Youve seen the tag on your high-tech camping gear from brands like Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, and The North Face: Made in China. SNEWS reports today that as part of its disaster relief efforts, the Chinese government has seized control of all Chinese-owned tent factories and existing stock. The report puts Chinese army soldiers on factory floors for at least a month, maybe more. The move may have some effect on US suppliers gearing up for the outdoor season, and could bottleneck production into the spring of 2009.More Replica Breitling Navitimer Men watch importantly, though, state news agency Xinhua says that 749,200 tents have already been shipped to the quake area, but with homeless counts near 5 million —and with the summer rainy season fast approaching— health officials are openly worrying about disease control. One report from Sichuan puts as many as 19 people living in a single tent. Relief efforts continue, amid protests by grieving parents.--Matthew Fishbane
