Biotic homogenization has been defined as follows "the process by which species invasions and extinctions increase the genetic, taxonomic or functional similarity of two or more locations over a specified time interval. Biotic homogenization is now considered a distinct facet of the broader biodiversity crisis having significant ecological, evolutionary and social consequences."   Basically, it refers to an increasing similarity in the make-up of the plant communities found in different places - a bit like High Streets, each of which used to have a special character or 'signature', now it is difficult to distinguish one from another. In many cases,  biotic homogenization involves the replacement of local floras and faunas with 'introduced species', sometimes referred to as aliens.   Examples of plants that have been introduced and spread are himalayan balsam and japanese knotweed.   Read more...

Rewilding is a term that has been used often by the media recently.  Broadly speaking, it refers to the re-introduction of species to areas or habitats where they ‘died out’, in some cases several hundred years ago.  The list of animals being considered for rewilding varies, but the elk, wolf, lynx, wild boar, beavers and bears are spoken  of as  possible candidates. Bears probably disappeared from the UK sometime in the 12th century, the lynx in mediaeval times, and the last grey wolf was recorded as being killed in Scotland in the 1700s.  The loss of such species may be associated in part with hunting but also the loss of forest and the clearance of woodland over the centuries.  Read more...

Dangerous Dads is about offering simple. low cost activities that help families reconnect with each other and with their local environment.  Ian Blackwell says, "the idea is taking hold: most dads really want to have something fun to do with their children that isn't all about spending money." Based in Totnes, Ian has now established eleven Dangerous Dads projects and hopes to have over 20 within the next year.  "There are lots of organisations keen to work with me on this," says Ian, "because dads are such a hard group to engage with. Children's services in particular are almost desperate to find ways to work with dads - particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds Read more...

If you ask a random person about trees moving they will often mention "till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane" - referring to the wood that appears to move in the Shakespeare play, Macbeth.  Just before the fight scene, Macbeth is told that trees from the Birnam wood have moved to Dunsinane Hill and Macbeth realises that his evil rule is at an end because the witches foretold that as King he would remain in power only until that woodland actually moved.  The trees are used as camouflage cover by Malcolm and Macduff's soldiers who each carry a branch from the wood to disguise how numerous they are as they lay siege to Macbeth's castle. Read more...