The Latest in the Ash Dieback 'Saga'

      Anyone that regularly watches or reads news stories cannot possibly have missed the number of articles in a flurry about the arrival of Chalara ash dieback in the UK. There has been truly extensive media coverage on the effects of the Chalara fraxinea fungus; damaging, killing or necessitating removal of Ash trees that act as habitats to many organisms; and the its spread around the UK. To read about why this could be a disaster-in-process, visit one of many BBC articles on it here.

     The breaking news in this story is that the government has announced (based on scientific advice) that it will not be possible to eradicate the disease - mature trees are too important in English ecosystems, supporting too many species, to be felled; meaning progress of the fungus can only be slowed. The hope is that some British Ash individuals will show genetic resistance to the disease, and that these can be found and cultivated to prevent colossal tree dieback. BBC's latest update on this (from today) can be viewed here. In this case it appears absolutely necessary for the survival of the species and maintenance of biodiversity that humans intervene, and remove young infected trees.

Above is an image of a mature Ash, and below an up-to-date map of known cases of Ash 

dieback across Britain, both obtained from the BBC (sources above; map

produced by the Forestry Commission).

   

      In (possibly) less depressing news, Sir David Attenborough's new documentary 'Attenborough's Ark' aired today, where the man himself chose ten species he would most like to save from extinction. Yesterday's EDGE Blog introduces the species, and more information on the show can be seen here on the BBC's page. I'm looking forward to watching this documentary special!