In today’s world, where environmental consciousness is becoming increasingly important, industries are seeking ways to reduce their ecological footprint. The entertainment sector is no exception to this trend. With the rise of online gambling, including PayID online pokies, the gaming industry has been exploring ways to promote sustainability and nature conservation. This article explores the concept of eco-friendly entertainment and its intersection with nature conservation. By delving into the efforts made by the gaming industry to promote eco-friendly practices, we can understand how PayID pokies are contributing to a greener future while providing players with an enjoyable gaming experience.

The Environmental Impact of Traditional Entertainment

Traditional forms of entertainment, such as brick-and-mortar casinos and physical slot machines, have a significant environmental impact. These establishments consume considerable resources like electricity and water, leading to substantial energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the production, transportation, and disposal of gaming hardware and equipment contribute to electronic waste, which poses a threat to the environment.

Moreover, the need for physical infrastructure, including large casino buildings and slot machine manufacturing, results in deforestation and habitat destruction in some cases. These factors highlight the environmental challenges associated with traditional entertainment options.

The Rise of Eco-Friendly PayID Online Pokies

In response to growing environmental concerns, the gaming industry has been transitioning to eco-friendly alternatives. PayID online pokies, being digital and cloud-based, have a significantly lower environmental impact compared to their physical counterparts. These online platforms eliminate the need for large casino buildings and physical slot machines, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Furthermore, PayID online pokies enable players to access their favorite games from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for transportation to physical casinos. This reduction in travel leads to a decrease in fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions, making the gaming experience more environmentally friendly.

Sustainable Gaming Infrastructure

Sustainable gaming infrastructure plays a crucial role in making PayID online pokies eco-friendly. The shift towards renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, to power servers and data centers has become a priority for many online casinos. This transition reduces reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating the impact of gaming operations on the environment.

Furthermore, some gaming companies have implemented energy-efficient technologies and data center designs to optimize energy consumption. These measures not only lower costs but also contribute to a greener and more sustainable gaming industry.

Virtual Gaming and Reduced Environmental Footprint

The virtual nature of Australis’ best PayID casinos with online pokies results in several environmental benefits. As mentioned earlier, players can access these games from their devices without the need for physical travel, reducing carbon emissions associated with transportation. Additionally, the absence of physical slot machines reduces the manufacturing demand and generation of electronic waste.

Virtual gaming also means reduced paper consumption since players do not need physical tickets or tokens. In traditional casinos, paper-based tickets and tokens contribute to waste generation, but in virtual platforms, these materials become obsolete, promoting a paperless and eco-friendly gaming experience.

Eco-Friendly Game Design

Incorporating eco-friendly game design elements is another way the gaming industry contributes to nature conservation. PayID online pokies can feature themes that promote environmental awareness, nature conservation, and sustainable living. By creating games that showcase the beauty of nature and the importance of protecting it, game developers raise awareness about environmental issues among players.

Additionally, some games may incorporate environmental challenges and rewards for players who achieve specific conservation milestones. Such features engage players in a meaningful way, making them active participants in environmental causes while enjoying their gaming experience.

Supporting Environmental Initiatives

Beyond adopting eco-friendly practices within their operations, some PayID online casinos actively support environmental initiatives and nature conservation efforts. These platforms may allocate a portion of their profits to fund environmental projects, partner with conservation organizations, or sponsor events that promote environmental awareness.

Through such initiatives, online casinos contribute directly to protecting the planet’s biodiversity and natural resources. By leveraging their resources and reach, gaming companies can become valuable allies in the fight against environmental challenges.

Engaging Aussie Casino Players in Environmental Causes

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PayID online pokies offer a unique opportunity to engage Australian online casino players in environmental causes and promote sustainable behaviors. Online casinos can organize in-game events or tournaments centered around environmental themes, raising awareness and encouraging players to take an active interest in nature conservation.

By participating in these events, players not only enjoy their gaming experience but also contribute to real-world environmental efforts. The sense of purpose and accomplishment gained from these activities can foster a positive attitude towards nature conservation.

Responsible Gambling and Environmental Consciousness

While promoting eco-friendly entertainment is essential, responsible gambling practices are equally crucial. Online casinos have a responsibility to ensure that players engage in gaming activities responsibly, without falling into compulsive gambling habits. Implementing measures such as setting deposit limits, offering self-exclusion options, and providing information on responsible gambling resources help maintain the balance between entertainment and player well-being.

Conclusion

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Moreover, engаging playеrs in envirоnmental сauses not оnly enhаnces thе gaming exрerience but also fosters a sense of respоnsibility tоwards nature сonservation. Вy рromoting resрonsible gambling practices, оnline casinos еnsurе thаt playеrs саn enjoy thеir gaming exрerience whilе cоntributing рositively tо thе plаnеt.

Тhe intersection of ecо-friendly еntеrtainmеnt аnd nature сonservation in Aussie PаyID оnline casino sites prеsеnts a promising рath tоwards a greener future. As thе gaming industry continues tо priоritize envirоnmental cоnsciоusness, it becomes аn ally in thе global effort tо prеsеrvе аnd рrotect thе natural world.

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Climate change is one of the realities faced by the world in the present century. Although the post-industrial revolution comes with its world-changing benefits, it has been proven astronomically that the increase in the rate of greenhouse gas emissions has adverse effects on the planet. These effects include climate change, sea levels, precipitation, ocean temperature, surface air, coastal areas, human health, forests, agriculture, wildlife, and water resources.

One of the solutions to tackle the effects of greenhouse gas emissions is growing large quantities of algae. These photosynthetic organisms can significantly help with carbon capturing and climate change mitigation. Here we explore how algae can help deal with global climate crises.

What to Know About Algae

Algae are essential organisms found in aquatic environments with several significant benefits. Algae come in different types, including:

1. Green algae (Chlorophyta)
2. Brown algae (Phaeophyta)
3. Yellow-green algae (Xanthophyta)
4. Red algae (Rhodophyta)
5. Fire algae (Pyrrophyta)
6. Golden-brown algae and diatoms (Chrysophyta)
7. Euglenoids (Euglenophyta)

Algae is very important in aquatic ecosystems. They create the energy base of the food network for all aquatic living organisms. Besides, studies show they produce oxygen in large quantities in lakes, rivers, and oceans. Accessibility to CO2, water, phosphate, sunlight, and nitrogen is vital for algae to grow efficiently.

Since there are several algal strains, their compositions are different. And how each is cultivated can also influence the composition. Nevertheless, the algal main composition includes protein, lipids, carbohydrates, and carotenoids, such as fucoxanthin and astaxanthin, lutein, and nucleic acids. Moreover, Algae as photosynthetic organisms are characterised by:

1. The production of quality non-fuel co-products
2. High lipid accumulation
3. Excessive biomass production
4. CO2 sequestration

Sequestering carbon for growth is one of the functions of algae. With this process, they can efficiently mitigate greenhouse gasses that can cause climate change. Algae can produce biomaterials, biofuel, and bioenergy from land biomass.

The Role of Algae in Carbon Capture and Climate Change Mitigation

You should have heard the great extent of how forestation is helping the planet. It does this by slowing down global warming by reducing CO2 in the atmosphere and introducing more O2. As carbon sinks, Trees reduce CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and change it to biomass.

The paragraph above shows one of the benefits of trees to ecosystems. But the trees might not be the sole saviour in saving the earth from the global crisis. This is because forestation has its limitations and consequences. The process can lead to the following, according to a working paper published by World Research Institute (WRI):

1. Technological and scientific difficulties in measurement and monitoring
2. The displacement of farmlands
3. Limited public funding for carbon-beneficial land management

Here, algae show themselves as a saviour – looking to oceans for more effective and scalable way-outs. So, what are the uses of algae that help with carbon capture and climate change mitigation?

Carbon Sequestration

Carbon sequestration refers to the process of efficiently capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. This method helps reduce the quantity of CO2 in the atmosphere to reduce climate change. Studies have shown that the process can enhance air quality by increasing O2 concentration and decreasing CO2 levels.

Algae are more efficient than trees400 times when used in bioreactors to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Algae can handle more CO2 than trees due to their quality to cover more surface area and grow more rapidly as they produce more biomass.

How do trees and algae sequester CO2? They both do this naturally. For trees, CO2 is consumed as photosynthesis process. They absorb carbon into their roots and trunks and offer oxygen in return into the air. For algae, the same process is replicated. However, what is done differently is absorbing the carbon in the form of more algae.

Fuel

The second use of algae is for the production of biofuels. These fuels are extracted from living matters directly. With this, algae can offer a more sustainable alternative to liquid fossil fuels like petroleum. Interestingly, algae have offered more than five thousand biofuel gallons from one acre over the years.

What could make algae a remarkable renewable fuel source is its unique energy-storage system. There are algal strains that store energy in a natural oil form. The oil must be extracted to get the raw material to produce fuel for planes, trains, trucks, and cars.

Raw Material

Polymers can be created from algae. And as a replacement for plastic, they are used in 3D printing. It has also been claimed that the local algae polymers can make waste bins, tableware, and shampoo bottles.

Industrial manufacturing processes affect the planet and contribute to global warming. So, using algae can greatly help by subtracting CO2 from the atmosphere– they can help the environment when used as a raw material in a healthy mode of production.

Moreover, several companies are interested in what they can produce using algae fibres. Some produce foam from them. The algae foam can then be used to make products, such as surfboards and shoes, with soles produced from petroleum.

Food

Climate change can, in no small way, affect agriculture and food supplies. They can increase rainfall variability, affecting livestock productivity and crop yields. From this, risks of malnutrition and hunger should be expected.

Algae is one of the solutions to this global climate crisis affecting the agricultural sector. They can offer valuable products. For instance, Arthrospira platensis (spirulina), a filamentous and multicellular blue-green alga, can be a food supplement.

Can food from algae help mitigate climate change? Yes, they can. In fact, they are excellent food supplements, biostimulants, bio fertilisers, biochar feedstocks, and livestock feeds. All these make algae one of the best ways to promote the climate resilience of food production and agricultural livelihoods. Besides, they help mitigate climate change by transforming greenhouse gasses into physical form or reducing their emissions.

Conclusion

Algae should be considered essential organisms within ecosystems, as their roles are invaluable. They are photosynthetic organisms that can help capture and store carbon and combat climate change– algae remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it as biomass. They also put oxygen as a replacement.

Several companies have started to take advantage of these organisms’ benefits. You, as an individual, can also play your little part in helping the movement to keep the planet safe.

Do you ask how? You can plant a tree, help clean the ocean, see algae as a potential food source, buy algae-made products, work for companies that seek to keep the environment healthy for everyone, and so on. Through collective efforts, the problems of the world can be solved.

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Are you a mushroom cultivator or enthusiast? You should be interested in knowing about the fascinating life cycle of these fungi. Your thirst for knowledge and understanding will give you more insights into the role fungi play in the habitats where they are.

Fungi are key players in unleashing elements that are biologically important from decaying matter. These elements include phosphorus and nitrogen. This article explores mushrooms’ role in nutrient cycling and decomposition. Let’s delve into it.

Mushrooms and Their Benefits

As no deposit casino games appeal to casino players, so are fungi to mycologists, hobbyists, or anyone who finds them intriguing. Mushrooms are the reproductive structures made by some fungi. Studies show how they help nature with decomposition and how they can deal with global issues, such as hunger and climate change.

They have several distinct stages when it comes to their life cycle. These include:

1. Spore dispersal
2. Spore germination
3. Mycelium growth
4. Primordia formation
5. Mushroom development
6. Spore production and dissemination

Mushrooms have much to do with carbon and nutrient cycling as they significantly promote carbon sequestration and soil health. They could help in different ways, including:

1. Transformation of nutrients in a usable way for plants.
2. The breakdown of animal and plant debris.
3. Propulsion of phosphorus mobilisation and nitrogen fixation.

The Role of Mushrooms as Nutrient Recyclers and Decomposers

Mushrooms are key players when it comes to nutrient cycling and decomposition. This role, which is a pivot in the balance of the ecosystem, falls in the final stage of their life cycle.

The first significant role of mushrooms is to help with nutrient cycling. They participate in breaking down molecules, such as lignin and cellulose. Mushrooms also offer vital nutrients to the soil to benefit plants and other organisms in the ecosystem. These are carbon, potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen.

How Mushrooms Contribute to Nutrient Cycling

Mushrooms are strong facilitators of the movement and availability of essential nutrients. They do not only cycle nutrients but also their redistribution. There are different ways mushrooms can help with nutrient cycling.

Firstly, mushrooms help with the decomposition of organic matter that releases nutrients such as carbon, potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. These nutrients are helpful to other organisms.

Secondly, mushrooms help replenish soil nutrient pools by releasing stored nutrients once trapped in complex organic compounds. With the released nutrients, other organisms can experience incredible growth and development.

Thirdly, mushrooms help enhance the efficiency of nutrient uptake. This is done through mycorrhizal associations. Several mushrooms form these mutualistic relationships with plants’ roots to foster nutrient absorption. These nutrients include water, phosphorus, and nitrogen.

The fourth contribution of mushrooms to nutrient cycling is nutrient redistribution. They play a significant role in transporting and distributing nutrients over larger spatial scales in the ecosystem. With this, nutrient balance can be maintained and available across several habitats.

The final contribution to nutrient cycling is serving as a nutrient source for different secondary consumers. These may include small mammals, insects, and other animals. These organisms consume mushrooms to get stored nutrients, thereby helping with nutrient cycling within the ecosystem.

Organic Matter Decomposition

The second significant role of mushrooms is decomposing organic matter, such as fallen leaves and dead plant material. Their mycelium makes this possible, which helps with the secretion of enzymes. With this, complex organic compounds are broken down into their simpler forms. And the energy and nutrients therein will be released to benefit other organisms within the ecosystem.

Key Factors That Influence the Rates of Mushroom Decomposition

Several factors influence the decomposition rates of mushrooms. The first factor is the fungi species. There are variations in mushroom decomposition rates since the fungi exist in different species. Some mushroom species decompose slowly, while others rapidly. Here, what influences the decomposition process include:

1. The structural characteristics of the fungi
2. Their enzymes
3. Their fruiting body’s chemical composition

Environmental Conditions

Environmental factors, such as aeration, moisture, humidity, and temperature, can influence decomposition rates. All these have a lot to do with how decomposers, including fungi, bacteria, and invertebrates, act regarding decomposition. If the environmental conditions are perfect, the decomposition rates can be accelerated.

Microbial Communities

Mushrooms and other microorganisms, such as bacteria, are key players in breaking down organic matter. The diversity and the composition of the microbial communities can determine the speed of decomposition. These and how the communities interact with the substrate and the mushroom.

Substrate Availability and Nature

There are several organic materials that fungi can decompose. These include animal remains, wood, and dead plant matter. The rate at which these materials can be broken down and decomposed is influenced by substrate accessibility, structure, and chemical composition.

Ecosystem’s Successional Stage

You may expect a higher decomposition rate at the early successional stage of the ecosystem. This can be attributed to pioneer decomposers’ activity and the availability of fresh organic matter. Nevertheless, the decomposition rate may be slower in mature ecosystems due to the decreased availability of easily decomposable material.

Interactions Between Mushrooms

If mushrooms interact with bacteria, fungi, worms, or insects, it can either cause the decomposition rate to be slow or rapid. It can be rapid when the organisms consume and break down the mushrooms. But it may be slow if predators or competing microbial communities inhibit or consume the decomposer organisms.

Chemical Composition

Mushrooms have several compounds, including secondary metabolites, lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. The decomposition rate can accelerate with easily degradable compounds. But it can slow down if there are complex compounds, such as antimicrobial substances or lignin.

Human impact can also impact the rates of mushroom decomposition. Several unhealthy human activities within the ecosystem can affect the speed of decomposition—the common ones include disturbance, pollution, and land use changes. When microbial communities, nutrient levels, and substrate availability are altered, the implication can negatively affect decomposition.

Other Roles of Mushrooms as Nutrient Recyclers and Decomposers

Check below for further ways mushrooms can immensely assist the ecosystem.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the roles of mushrooms as recyclers and decomposers are essential for the health of the ecosystems, the maintenance of ecological balance, and the recycling of trapped nutrients. The article explored how mushrooms significantly contribute to ecosystem processes by breaking down organic matter, releasing nutrients, and more.

So, as a hobbyist, mycologist, or someone intrigued by the ecological vitality of mushrooms, you should know that these fungi have a lot to offer the ecosystems, influencing how diverse ecosystems function and are preserved.

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Australia broke off from the great Pangean mainland 45 million years ago. When that happened, varieties of plants began adapting to their new environment on a severely limited land mass. Most varieties of plants in Australia can’t be found in any other part of the world except on those occasions when people have brought them over from Down Under. These plants are called endemic. One of the most interesting features of Australian vegetation is its remoteness. The two most common types of vegetation there are the myrtle family tree, the eucalyptus, and acacia. As of today, the world knows 568 eucalyptus and 771 acacia species. When you travel to Australia, you’ll see a wide variety of different plants that might surprise you.

The study of Australian flora starts with James Cook’s expeditions in Australia. He set off from England on board the Endeavor and spent almost two months at Botany Bay while naturalists Daniel Solander and Joseph Banks collected samples. The continent of Australia was not fully analysed until 18th century when explorers such as Jean Lecheneau and J.-J. Labilliardiere studied it in detail. It wasn’t until 1791 that the first full-scale exploration of the country took place by them across some regions. The first person to extensively research the flora of Australia was Robert Brown, a naturalist who accompanied the 1801-1802 expedition to collect specimens. He later published his findings in ‘Plantae Novae Hollandiae’, which is credited as being Australia’s first scientific journal. Cook explored the southern and eastern parts of the mainland, as well as Tasmania and other islands, with scientist Ferdinand Bauer. He returned to England in 1805, bringing back more than 4,000 plant species.

The climate of Australia has a huge impact on the vegetation found in this country. Perhaps the most important difference when it comes to Australian flora is that they thrive in dryer conditions than seen in other places. Soil, which lacks micronutrients, will affect the type of vegetation is mainland Australia. This difference is most pronounced during drought periods.

Australia is a dry country with only 295 millimeters of rain per year. However, the coastal areas get up to 143 centimeters of rain in one year. The flora depends on their location. In Australia, there are many different types of forests that grow in different regions. In this continent, subspecies such as tropical rainforests and sclerophyllous forests can be found and they represent both open and denser ones. Outside of Australia. Vegetation in this area is mostly shrubs and herbaceous plants. Huge areas in the west, south and central parts of Australia are covered with pastures. The eastern states are overgrown with bushes where medium-sized trees prevail as well as herbaceous plants. In the middle of Australia there is a desert that is mostly devoid of vegetation, except for small sections where watercourses can be found.

The plants found in Australia’s climate are typically flowering plants, fruiting plants and other ornamentals.

450 subspecies of Eucalyptus can be found in Australia. The diversity between these different subspecies varies from tropical to alpine amongst other things. Certain eucalyptus tree species can only grow in a particular area that has a certain annual precipitation, air temperature, and soil type. Eucalyptus trees are often found in the forests of eastern and southern Australia, and some small varieties grow in arid forest or shrub areas. These trees don’t exclusively grow in only a few areas of Australia. The dry climate in Australia is unusual, which means that many of the plants have adapted to this by having long roots. Trees also grow “sparkling” foliage, which reduces moisture loss.

Eucalyptus leaves are opposite and are either sclerophyll or xerophyll. Xerophyllous eucalyptus forests can be found in wetter regions of Australia. The wood of these forests is usually not suitable for large-scale construction or carpentry, so trees are cleared and wood chips are made from them to be used in the manufacture of paper.The west coast of Australia is full of beautiful forests with two types of eucalyptus – curry and jarrah.

Acacia trees are well known for their bright yellow, mostly small flowers. The most well-known variety is the Golden Locust, which is the national flower of Australia. It can reach about 12 meters in height, making it the tallest tree in the world. It has an unusual foliage because of a leafy stem called a phyllode. Most common people know it as cuttings.

Although you’ll find rainforests in only small pockets of the mainland, they’re rich in variety and have been studied more than any other type of forest worldwide. There are two different types in Australia – but both can be found on the continent. Rainforests grow along the Great Dividing Range. In small areas of Queensland there is a tropical rain forest, very diverse, identical to those in Indonesian and Malaysian forests of the same type. The rainforest is home to hundreds of species of trees, notably the stinging trees which can burn you if you don’t pay attention.

Places in the tropics where seashores are protected from huge waves of surf, like by nearby islands or coral reefs. As mentioned by travelers, these are “trees that grow in the sea”. Notice how at high tide you can only see the crowns of these trees and at low tide their respiratory roots, which differ from species to species.

Astrebla is a commonly occurring plant in Australia for it can be found in every square meter of the country. It is used as fodder by farm animals and also by sheep.

In the dry grasslands of Australia, spinifex predominates and is not eaten by animals. Consequently, this ecosystem is hardly threatened, unlike others.

In Australia, due to the actions of humans, over seventy-five varieties of plants have died. Around 150 species are also on a list of vegetation that may soon disappear. Most of these plants were brought to Australia by people from Europe. The prickly pear cactus is an invasive plant which has taken over a vast area of the mainland, and replaced many edible plants. This has caused there to be about 460 parks and other reserves on the mainland, in which there are vast areas with only one species of plant.

Australian Aborigines ate raw fruit, berries, fried various roots and nuts of the fire. They made a drink from the nectar of flowers with the help of stems and roots.

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Why different mushrooms do not all grow in the same forest

The fact is that a special property of fungi is the ability to form mycorrhiza, a symbiotic mutualistic connection between the mycelium of the fungus and the roots of trees. At the same time, different mushrooms prefer more often to enter into such a relationship with certain tree species. Therefore, for example, ginger mushrooms, as a rule, can be found in spruce forests, and moss mushrooms – in pine forests.

Experienced mushroom pickers know these characteristics of mushrooms, and choose a path in the woods that will lead them to a certain mushroom spot: Mokhovik or chanterelle.

So now frequently encountered in the woods mushroom aspen mushroom, even children can tell it, forms a mycorhiza with aspen, birch, willow, and therefore loves deciduous or mixed forests, often preferring aspen groves – so you and the aspen mushroom. That is where it is necessary to look for it.

In fact, there are several species of chanterelles belonging to the Leccinum species. Those with brown or white caps like to grow in birch or spruce forests, but the most recognizable red aspen is prone to aspen and other deciduous forests. The red aspen mushroom is a wonderful mushroom, in quality only slightly inferior to boletus: it is ideal for soups, for frying and pickling.

But I love it in salted form. If you boil mountain aspen mushrooms, and then salt them cold with currant leaf and garlic – in a week you will not find a better companion to boiled potatoes.

Or, for example, if you already told us about spruce mushroom, which, as its name suggests, should be sought in the spruce forest, its relative purple mushroom is more likely to be seen in the pine forest. And this mushroom, although little-known, but in taste qualities is not inferior to butter mushrooms.

And spotted urchins love coniferous forests, especially pine forests. These mushrooms are usually found in large families and are considered conditionally edible at a young age. But their strong specific flavor does not disappear even after boiling and may not please everyone, although in small quantities can serve as a condiment.

If you are not sure about the head of the Aurochus, its underside with thousands of needle-thorns should dispel all doubts.

Next to the urchins you can often see an amazing mushroom, which used to be considered a relative of the urchins, but in order to be surprised, you first have to lie down in the grass and take out a magnifying glass. This mushroom is called Hydnellum peca.

Its unusual appearance has spawned many colorful names: strawberry with cream, bleeding tooth, devil’s tooth or cake mushroom – whichever your imagination tells you.

There is a theory that these viscous red droplets with a pleasant odor on the surface of the fungus attract insects, which become entrapped in this liquid and dissolve in it, nourishing the fungus. In confirmation of this version, on one of these fungi I noticed an ant stuck in the drop.

Hydnellum is a fairly common mushroom, but from the height of a human being these scarlet drops are invisible. And it “bleeds” only during a certain period of its development. From afar, it looks like an ordinary little hedgehog. These mushrooms will look exactly the same – with light-colored caps and without any signs of scarlet drops – in just a few days.

There are lots of mushrooms in the forest these September days. If someone is new to the forest or is not sure which way to go, the RMK website has a special page with tips on where to go to not only have a great time in the wild, but also to look for mushrooms. And don’t forget to change the search direction in the forest (remember about the compass!) – from fir groves to aspen groves, from pine groves to birch groves – and then your basket will surely be rich in mushrooms.

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From Gazi Bay in Kenya and Maputo Bay in Mozambique to Dale Bay in Wales, projects to restore algae are gaining momentum.

Emerged over 70 million years ago from terrestrial grasses, seaweed is one of the most diverse and valuable marine ecosystems on the planet. They have a critical role in combating climate change, food security, shoreline protection, biodiversity enrichment, disease control and water filtration.

Underwater algae meadows – expanses of green, grass-like shoots and flowers – are an extremely effective “natural solution” to climate change. They cover only 0.1 percent of the world’s ocean floor, while storing about 18 percent of the ocean’s carbon. They are also home to fish stocks, which not only provide food and livelihoods for coastal residents, but also help increase ocean biodiversity.

According to a study by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), algae habitats are in serious danger. They have been in decline since 1930, and today 7 percent of seaweed habitat is lost each year, the equivalent of an area the size of a soccer field disappearing every 30 minutes.

Climate change, as well as increasing coastal populations, deepening of the seabed and ocean floor, and uncontrolled fishing have all contributed to this decline.

Algae-covered areas are among a growing number of ecosystems, including forests, savannahs and mountains, under pressure from human activities. Every year the world loses so many trees that they could fill the Republic of Korea, and since 1970, 30 percent of natural freshwater ecosystems have disappeared.

As the world prepares to enter the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, a global movement to revive natural areas and reverse the destruction of algae will require international efforts, experts say. Algae are found in coastal regions of 159 countries on six continents and cover about 300,000 km2.

The increase and expansion of coastal populations, pollution, dredging and fishing make us aware of the impact of these activities on the planet’s ecosystems.

The project is funded in part by the sale of “carbon credits” and demonstrates how collaboration between local, national and international organizations can lead to successful ecosystem restoration.

The income from the project supports the further development of the ecosystem and the local community. The Mikoko Pamoja project helped dig wells and provide drinking water for 3,500 people, and provided 700 children with educational materials. In addition, local schools were repaired and improved. The project was so successful that it was awarded the Equator Initiative for addressing climate change at the community level. This activity evolved into the development of the larger Vanga Blue Forest project, mainly focused on the restoration and protection of mangrove forests. The project received seed funding from the Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation.

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Woody plants have different life forms according to their appearance and the nature of their growth: trees, shrubs, and bushes. Trees are plants that have one perennial stem called a trunk.

The thickness of trees is characterized by the diameter of the trunk, which for convenience is measured at the height of the human chest – 1.3 m from the ground and is expressed in centimeters. With the dying off of the trunk, the life of the tree ceases.

Shrubs – plants in which the main trunk is not expressed, and there are several trunks, going from the base (root neck).

In terms of size shrubs are subdivided into high – above 2.5 m, medium – 1-2.5 m and low – 0.5-1 m.

Representatives of shrubs – hazel forest, honeysuckle, currant, rakitnik, etc.

Structure. Woody plants are higher plants. All of them have leaves, a stem and roots. The stem of these plants is called the trunk and is covered by bark on the outside. The stem moves water and minerals from the roots to the leaves, and organic matter from the leaves to the roots. Some of these substances are deposited in the trunk. The top of the trunk branches off into twigs and shoots to form the crown. Leaves, buds, and flowers are found on annual and perennial shoots. The roots of a woody plant absorb water and nutrients from the soil, serve also as a place of deposition of spare organic substances and support for the entire plant. The place where the root passes to the stem is called the root neck, it is located at the very surface of the soil.

According to the nature of its structure, it can be stubby, taprooted, superficial and mixed. A corm-like root system has no main root, all of which are thin, like those of herbaceous plants, bunched up from the root neck. Such roots are characteristic of monocotyledonous plants: bamboos, palms, etc. The tap root system has a deep main root and thinner lateral roots. This root system is characteristic of oak, pine, larch. Surface root system is characterized by poorly developed tap root and thick lateral roots at the very surface of the soil. It is found in spruce, aspen, shrubs, and pine and larch growing in waterlogged and poor sandy soils. Tree species with a superficial root system are prone to wind-blown, that is, when a strong wind blows, they turn out together with their roots. Mixed root system consists of well-developed taproot and lateral roots (maple, linden, etc.).

The main mass of roots is concentrated in the most fertile upper meter layer of soil, deeper (up to 8-10 m) single roots penetrate.

Many woody plants have mycorrhiza (mushroom root) on their roots in the form of fungal threads covering the thin roots. Mycorrhiza is a phenomenon of symbiosis between a fungus and a plant.

On the roots of plants of the legume family (yellow acacia, rachnitz, etc.) nodules are formed as a result of the activity of nodule bacteria that assimilate atmospheric nitrogen, which becomes available to plants, which improves their nutrition.

Growth
Growing trees and shrubs are perennial plants. They increase their size each year and form new organs. Leaves, shoots, roots, flowers, and fruits are constantly renewed.

Growth in height is due to the formation of new shoots from apical buds at the ends of old shoots. If the apical bud dies, the central shoot grows from the nearest side bud. The shoots of some species take 10-12 days to grow (oak), others take a few weeks (poplar).

With the end of growth, an apical bud is formed. Sometimes second and third growth in height is observed in oaks.
The trunk, twigs and shoots of a tree consist of wood and bark. If you cut off the trunk at the neck of the root, you can tell the age of the tree by the number of annual rings of wood.

Longevity of tree species varies widely: from a few years (bamboo) to several hundreds or even thousands of years (sequoia). Longevity also varies within one species (breed) depending on internal and external reasons.

Reproduction of tree species occurs by seed and vegetative methods.

The main method is the seed method. The age at which fruiting begins is called the age of maturity. It depends on both the species characteristics of the plant and its living conditions. Tree species can bear fruit every year, but heavy harvests, or seed years, are said to be less frequent. It depends on how favorable conditions were during all stages of fruiting: from the establishment of flower buds to fruit ripening. Very often spring frosts and pests damage flowers and ovaries, destroying the harvest of seeds.

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Who among us is not familiar with mushrooms? Very many people love to pick them and are ready to get up at dawn and walk, drive or take the train to “mushroom spots” for the sake of it.

What is unique about mushrooms?
They are not like any other plant products. Not having chlorophyll, they do not create organic substances themselves, but perfectly process the already prepared ones, getting them from soil and plants. It is on the basis of the exchange of vital juices and the friendship of plants and fungi. It is known, for example, that beech, elm and oak grow very poorly without mushrooms.

The chemical composition of mushrooms is truly unique. They have more protein than many vegetables, and in dried ceps there are more than in meat. One hundred grams of mushrooms is enough to meet the daily requirement for zinc and copper, which play an important role in the biosynthesis of protein and nucleic acids, in the transport of iron to organs and tissues. The amount of phosphorus in mushrooms exceeds its content in vegetables by 3 times. In content of vitamin B1 mushrooms do not concede to cereals, in the mountain aspen and boletus many vitamin PP, almost as much as in the yeast and liver. There is carotene and vitamin C in mushrooms, and vitamin D as much as in butter.

Who shouldn’t eat mushrooms and why?
It is necessary to know that mushrooms contain a lot of so-called extractive substances, which contribute to increased secretion of digestive juices. Their stimulating effect on digestive organs is higher than that of meat broth, therefore mushrooms and mushroom soup should not be eaten (or used with caution) by persons with digestive organs diseases.

In addition, mushrooms contain quite a lot of fiber (from 6.3% for honeydew to 13% for squirrels) and polysaccharide chitin, which for their digestion in the body requires certain conditions, including a healthy intestine, populated by normal microflora, which, in fact, and breaks down these substances. Therefore, you should not include mushrooms in the diet of children, you should also limit the consumption of mushrooms in older people, and all others should take into account the peculiarities of your body, so that the mushrooms do not lead to poor health.

How dangerous is mushroom poisoning and what to do in this case
There are other dangers for humans associated with mushrooms. Every time during the mushroom season there are cases of mushroom poisoning, when by mistake or through ignorance mushrooms are eaten inedible or conditionally edible, and even with a violation of the technology of processing and cooking.

A feature of mushroom poisoning is to affect the entire body, not just the gastrointestinal tract. The picture of poisoning depends on the type of mushroom that caused the poisoning. Any change in the body after the consumption of mushrooms should be alarming. Signs of poisoning may be such well-known as nausea, indomitable vomiting, liquid stools, strong thirst, dry and burning mouth, abdominal pain. But symptoms may appear that are not always associated with poisoning. These include sudden visual impairment, constriction of the pupils, heavy salivation, and sudden sweating which may be cold and clammy. Seizures, delirium, hallucinations, general agitation and a state similar to alcohol intoxication may occur.

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Seaweeds, green, red or brown, grow by clinging to rocks or pebbles or by floating in the water. In recent years, some 250 species have spread heavily along European shores, causing alarm.

Brown algae, Sargassum, a large floating algae, arrived on European shores after the introduction of Japanese oysters in France in 1969. Up to 10 meters long, this plant is often introduced by the sea into oyster tubs or damages fishermen’s nets.

In addition, about 70 species of algae release toxins that can penetrate through the shells of clams, causing gastroenteritis (inflammation of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines) in humans.

Green algae: Their numbers have increased greatly since the early 1970s due to the pollution of waters with nitrates used in agriculture. However, these preparations contain nitrogen, which is exactly what these plants feed on. The growth of these algae causes real “green tides,” covering entire beaches: for example, one beach on the coast of northern France collects 20,000 cubic meters of algae per year.

Red algae: some red algae common in Asia, such as gracilaria asiatica, have taken over the waters off the coast of Sweden since 2003 and are spreading along the coasts of Norway and Denmark, threatening other algae species living there with extinction. Of particular concern is the fact that it is not known how they were introduced into these waters.

Ways to use algae

Rich in vitamins A, B12, C, iodine, and magnesium, seaweed has a special place in Asian cuisine. Seaweed (nori), one of the most popular edible algae. It is used to wrap lumps of rice or to enhance the taste of meat or fish dishes. Red seaweed is the base ingredient of the most popular Japanese dish, sushi. Brown algae, such as fucus bubbly, harvested on the shore, are used as a fertilizer. Algin, an algae extract, is used as a gel-forming agent; it is used in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics industries, as well as in plastic and paint production. Agar agar, a jelly-like substance extracted from agar, a common algae in the waters of India as well as the White Sea, is used for microbial cultures.

Variety of plant life
Thousands of species of plants, flowering and non-flowering, lichens (plants composed of algae and fungus), and mosses inhabit the oceans. Some plants, such as posidonia, are threatened with extinction because of the encroachment of other species. While common in the Mediterranean Sea, it is disappearing under the onslaught of caulerpa, a green algae of tropical origin, nicknamed “killer algae,” accidentally introduced into the Mediterranean Sea.

If individual species disappear, in the long term, the entire balance of marine ecosystems is threatened.

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Woody plants are classified in relation to heat as follows:

1. Quite cold-resistant, not at all damaged by low winter temperatures, tolerating frosts up to -45… -50°C, and some even lower; not damaged by late spring frosts – Siberian larch, Daurian larch, Siberian pine, Siberian spruce, common juniper, shivering poplar, downy birch, gray alder, Siberian mountain ash, willow, cottonwood.
2. cold-resistant, tolerating severe winters but damaged by very severe frosts (below -40°C). Some species are damaged by needles, others by resting buds. Some species of this group are damaged by late spring frosts. This group includes Siberian fir, Siberian linden, elm, maple, black poplar, white poplar.
3. Relatively heat-loving, with a longer vegetation period, as a result of which annual shoots do not always have time to become woody and are beaten by frosts partially or completely; all plants are severely damaged by very low winter temperatures; many of them are damaged by late-spring frosts. For example, Amur velvet, Manchurian walnut, and birchlet.
4. heat-loving, with even longer vegetation period, their shoots often do not mature and die from frost. During long severe frosts their above-ground parts of plants die completely, and their regeneration occurs from dormant buds at the root neck (pyramidal poplar, horse chestnut, walnut).
5. Very thermophilic, which absolutely cannot tolerate or poorly tolerate prolonged frosts up to -10 … -15°С. At such temperature during several days they either completely die, or are strongly damaged (cedar, eucalyptus, citrus).

In relation to moisture, all woody plants are divided into three main groups:

1. Hygrophytes – plants of humid habitats. They grow normally in conditions of excessive moisture. Plants demanding to water. This group includes many species of willows, poplars.
2. Mesophytes – growing well in sufficient moisture, but suffering from excess or lack of moisture, i.e. medium-demanding plants. Prolonged dryness of air and soil leads to partial forced leaf loss (when up to 50% of leaves turn yellow and fall off). These include birch, small-leaved linden.
3. Xerophytes – normally developing in arid conditions, undemanding to water, a small amount of moisture in the soil and in the air is enough for them. Some of them have very small leaves or have turned into scales (tamarix). Plants that live in conditions with a permanent seasonal deficit of moisture (common pine, narrow-leaved elk, prickly spruce).
   Different plants require different levels of light for normal growth. Some species can grow under the forest canopy, others need sun.

According to the degree of light-lovingness, woody plants are divided into the following groups:

1. Light-loving – plants that grow in open places and do not tolerate prolonged shade. They are characterized by leaves with small cell parenchyma, a large number of stomas and high chlorophyll content per leaf surface. This group includes larch, common pine, birch, pinnate elm, narrow-leaved elk, poplar (white, black, balsamic), white willow.
2. Medium light-loving species – juniper, apple tree, smooth elm, ash maple, Manchurian walnut, hawthorn, golden currant, Tatar honeysuckle, yarrow, spirea.
   Shade-tolerant plants are those which grow better in full light but can also tolerate shade. Their needles and leaves are darker, crowns are dense, less light penetration, the needles live 5-9 years (for light-loving trees 1-3 years), the lower limbs remain alive for a long time, trunks are slowly cleared of limbs, dying of oppressed trees is slower. According to the degree of increase in shade tolerance, conifers are in the following order: spruce, Siberian pine, fir; deciduous species: maple, linden, undergrowth shrubs.

Light-loving plants, like other ecological properties, is not a constant for a particular species: it changes with age. Sprouts are usually more shade tolerant than mature trees. On poor soils plants are more light-loving than on fertile soils. Light regime during the day is also important. When plants are introduced from areas with a short summer day to places with a long day, the latter develop abnormally, do not stop growing until the autumn cold and die from frost.

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