'Tree'mendous fun facts: Earth Day 2016 - The importance of trees

The entire theme of Earth day 2016 revolves around the importance of trees. Most of the time we take trees for granted, and never quite realize the importance of trees in our lives.

Here are some valuable and important facts about trees:

1. Trees Produce Oxygen – we can simply not live if there were no trees
2. Trees play an essential role in environmental sustainability.
3. It helps with the fight of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air.
4. They prevent erosion and clean the water.
5. Trees provide home to surrounding habitat, not to mention the nutritional value their fruits have to offer.

Some more facts...a little bit more on a lighter note.

6. It can be used as cover when being chased by a lion or elephant – usually lions do not climb trees. When out walking in big five game areas, the chances are good that you might run into one of the big 5. If you are surrounded by trees, then the best option would be to look for the closest tree and seek hiding. You might have some trouble when encountering a leopard.

7. When sleeping in the wilderness, there is no better roof for the night, than to sleep under a tree.

8. It serves as camouflage when faced with an elephant on foot – situational awareness is key during on foot guiding. Trees can become an important cover when faced with dangerous game.

9. An elephant keeps busy by pushing over some trees. According to the EcoLibrary “many ecologists believe that by frequently pushing over trees, elephants help keep savannas as open habitats, so that they do not grow up into more dense woodlands”

10. It creates shade for the lazy cat specie, the shade of a tree becomes a relieve during hot summer days

11. Trees make for beautiful photos

We must take it upon ourselves to look after our planet. Preserve the earth and we all will secure a green future for ourselves and our children. Let’s all celebrate Earth Day. Not only on 22 April, but every single day of our lives

Happy Earth day 2016!

Fascinating facts: Matabele ants

Matabele or hissing ants are the main predators of termites. They get their name from the Matabele tribe who are an offshoot of the Zulus. Much like the Matabele people of old, the Matabele ants attack in raiding parties and then carry off the spoils of the subdued tribe. In the video we can see an army of matabele ants raiding a termite colony. If you watch closely, the seemingly chaotic frenzy is actually a well planned and expertly carried out attack!

What usually happens is that a single scout will locate a potential food source and then lay a pheromone trail which the raiding party, often marching 2 to 10 abreast in a column that can extend in excess of 2 meter long, follows.  When the attack takes place it appears that some of the Matabele ants rush in and drag out the larva of the termites, or the termites themselves, while others sting them (which paralyzes them) and then carry them off to their own colonies as food. Incredible!

Blogger: Vaughn du Plooy

Nature's clean-up crew!

One of the many incredible facets of nature is its efficiency.  Nothing goes to waste out here: a derelict termite mound can be home for a multitude of species from hyaenas to snakes and an old wasp gall provides the perfect home for a spider.  But it is not just the recycling of real estate that makes it so special.  Dealing with dead matter is a massively important affair.  Without its processing, the risk of disease is very real as a decaying organism is the perfect breeding ground for some of Mother Nature’s more unsavoury organisms.

To combat this threat, nature has given us a few select species that specialize in this area.  They are the sanitation team of the bush and they love their job!  The other day we found a dead hippo on the banks of one of the local waterholes.  By the time we arrived on the scene the animal looked as though it had been dead for a few days and not much remained of the amphibious giant but its demise had already benefited a whole host of scavengers.  As we sat in the baking midday heat, the scorching temperatures did not seem to bother the wake of vultures that fought over the remaining scraps of nutrient rich flesh.  With no regard for table manners, they entertained us for ages with their petty squabbling.  Sharp bills stabbed at their fellow dinner guests and wings were spread in anger every few minutes as they tore strips of flesh to store in their crops for digestion later.

We were delighted to see that a large percentage of the raptors present were in fact Cape Vultures.  This species, endemic to southern Africa is considered vulnerable in its status with estimates numbering less than 10,000 left in the world.  Unfortunately, the largest of the vulture family is under threat due to the traditional medicine (or ‘muti’) trade.  Amongst other things, their eyes are especially sought after as they are believed to aid in foresight for the consumer.  Despite their plight, the towering Drakensburg that watch over the Lowveld provides perfect nesting opportunity for this impressive bird and thus, numbers in this area are among the most dense to found anywhere within its range.

Whilst delighting in their meal, they always kept a careful eye on the resident crocodile.  At about 3 meters long, it is not the largest to be found on the reserve but still a formidable adversary should one stray too close to its indiscriminate jaws!  It lay in the shallows next to the carcass occasionally grabbing mouthfuls of decomposing flesh, twisting its streamline body violently to rip off chunks of meat to be swallowed whole.  Such a meal will keep it satiated for months to come no doubt.  Tracks of other scavengers litter the area with both jackal and hyaena spoor found in abundance.

Despite their unsavoury reputation, nature’s clean-up crew perform a vital role within the ecology.  It is incredible to think that a near 2 ton animal can be reduced to pile of bones in only a few days.  The way in which a carcass is systematically dismantled in such a short time is mightily impressive and with the help of the resident sanitation engineers, from hyaena to crocodiles, to vultures, to the humble ants, these vital nutrients will be put back into the soil ready to feed the next generation of organisms.  It is one of many miracles of nature that everything has its place.  Its efficiency is ruthless.  There is almost no role that is not fulfilled in nature and its level of organisation is so far beyond our own self-proclaimed intelligence that our society pales into insignificance in comparison!

Article and photos by Ben Coley