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Sunday, January 20, 2013
A Close Look at Bugs
Paul Holowko is the
Host and Producer of the TV show 'Gardening Rhythms'
'Gardening Rhythms' shows natural gardening methods,
scientific technology and organic methods for land & soil
creation and regeneration. See website for times and
channels.
The thin layer where soil and litter
meet is especially crucial to this process. This layer of soil is the
most biologically active; many species of microarthropods thrive only in
the interface between soil and litter.
Microarthropods video for a fly larva.
Microarthropods
are important components of the soil decomposer food web. Organic
matter is a major influence on microarthropod abundance and diversity.
Conservation practices that increase soil organic matter improve soil
quality by supporting the development of the soil biotic community.
Microarthropods and other small soil animals are visible (sometimes
barely so) but miniscule; most require some level of magnification for
identification. Many microarthropods, especially springtails and soil
mites, are responsible for breaking down organic material into a form
that bacteria can consume, and are fundamental to the creation of humus
and the formation of soil.
The thin layer where soil and litter
meet is especially crucial to this process. This layer of soil is the
most biologically active; many species of microarthropods thrive only in
the interface between soil and litter.
Protozoa are a diverse group of
unicellular eukaryotic organisms. Protozoa were regarded as the partner
group of protists to protophyta, which have plant-like behavior like
photosynthesis. Below are some videos showing Protozoan in action. All
videos are taken at 400X magnification. Some have flagellum (whip like
tales) and others have cilium (hairy edges). As a cysts (can go
dormant in bad times), protozoa can survive harsh conditions, such as
exposure to extreme temperatures or harmful chemicals, or long periods
without access to nutrients, water, or oxygen for a period of time.
Bacteria are vital in recycling
nutrients, with many steps in nutrient cycles depending on these
organisms, such as the fixation of nitrogen from the atmosphere and
putrefaction. In the biological communities surrounding hydrothermal
vents and cold seeps, bacteria provide the nutrients needed to sustain
life by converting dissolved compounds such as hydrogen sulphide
(H2S)and methane (CH4).
The nematodes or roundworms are
traditionally regarded as the phylum Nematoda. Nematodes, (small worms)
have successfully adapted to nearly every ecosystem from marine to
fresh water, to soils, and from the Polar Regions to the tropics, as
well as the highest to the lowest of elevations. The oral cavity is
lined with cuticle, which is often strengthened with ridges or other
structures, and, especially in carnivorous species, may bear a number of
teeth. The mouth often includes a sharp stylet, which the animal can
thrust into its prey. In some species, the stylet is hollow, and can be
used to suck liquids from plants or animals.
Protozoa are a diverse group of
unicellular eukaryotic organisms. Protozoa were regarded as the partner
group of protists to protophyta, which have plant-like behavior like
photosynthesis. Below are some videos showing Protozoan in action. All
videos are taken at 400X magnification. Some have flagellum (whip like
tales) and others have cilium (hairy edges). As a cysts (can go
dormant in bad times), protozoa can survive harsh conditions, such as
exposure to extreme temperatures or harmful chemicals, or long periods
without access to nutrients, water, or oxygen for a period of time.
How to Identify Insect Pests in Your Vegetable Garden - "CSI: Garden Pests"
Take a look at Dusan Beno's Bug Portraits Gallery.
Click this link then place your cursor on the pictures and click on the arrows to see all 20 pictures
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