Encouraging beneficial and threatened insects to take up residence. A bug hotel at Holland Gardens, Taranaki, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019
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The butterfly effect
Newly emerged Monarch butterfly dries its wings before taking off. Image: Su Leslie 2017
“Notice the small things. The rewards are inversely proportional.” — Liz Vassey
In nature, Vassey’s words are particularly true. Whole eco-systems can be compromised by disruption to even the smallest part.
In 1800 Johann Gottlieb Fichte noted that “you could not remove a single grain of sand from its place without thereby … changing something throughout all parts of the immeasurable whole”.
Edward Lorenz later described this phenomenon as the butterfly effect.
Monarch caterpillars. Image: Su Leslie 2017
Monarch butterfly emerging from chrysalis. Image: Su Leslie 2017
Scientists now believe that Earth is experiencing a potentially catastrophic loss of biodiversity — with insect species being especially at risk. (See Science Direct article)
Image: Su Leslie 2018
Image: Su Leslie 2018
Diminishing numbers of bees and butterflies have caused widespread concern, and gardeners around the world consciously grow plant species to feed and support these creatures.
But, while gardeners may not like them, snails and other less glamorous creatures are necessary too — consuming rotting vegetation and providing food for other species like birds, lizards and mammals.
Starfish are regarded as a “keystone species” in marine ecosystems — but are sensitive to both marine pollution and water temperatures.
Starfish, seen clinging to a rock on the Coromandel Coast, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018
The loss of any part of nature’s elegant and beautiful system is a tragedy in itself, but the consequences reach far beyond any single extinction, threatening the whole Earth.
It seems that humans have the power (at least for now) to protect the life-forms that remain (including our own), and reverse some of the damage done. But we’d better be quick.
Posted to Lens Artist’s Photo Challenge | nature
Silent Sunday
Image: Su Leslie, 2017
DP Photo Challenge: surprise, take 3
Praying mantis devouring Monarch caterpillar. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Now this was a surprise! I’ve always thought of praying mantises (manti?) as kind of cute. Until I saw this one enjoying lunch.
Tiny
Seldom seen in my garden, a tiny ladybird on a lemon tree. Photo: Su Leslie, 2014
Ailsa’s Travel Theme this week is “tiny.” Here are a few shot of little things that have caught my eye.
A small car anyway, these toy BMW Isetta’s are truly tiny. Photo: Su Leslie, 2015
A tiny, inverted world reflected in a randrop. Photo: Su Leslie, 2014
Seen on a Munich street, a tiny garden on the back of a small truck. Photo: Su Leslie, 2015
Small insect, small flowers. A tiny part of the food chain. Photo: Su Leslie, 2015
Cicada moult; tiny anyway, and even smaller against its shadow. Photo: Su Leslie, 2015
What’s left behind
It’s cicada season, and my garden is slowly filling with the exoskeletons of newly emerged adult cicadas. Photo: Su Leslie, 2015
I’m hoping that 2015 will be an emergent year for me, though I don’t expect to leave behind such a complete shell of my past.
