The Tobacco Growing Industry in Meath

 

Randlestown House, entrance front
Gillman collection, Irish Architectural Archive

 

From 1898 to 1938 the Randlestown area of Navan was central to plans to introduce tobacco growing on a commercial basis in Ireland. The industry centred on the 300-acre Randlestown estate, the ancestral home of Sir Nugent Everard. The estate had its own tobacco plantation and also acted as a rehandling station – taking in tobacco from the local growers and processing it for sale to factories. At its peak, the industry provided almost 100 jobs and played a vital part in the local economy.

Over a period of more than thirty years, from 1898 to his death at the age of eighty in 1929, Everard devoted his energy, enthusiasm and financial resources to the cause of tobacco growing. After his death the local growers formed the County Meath Co-Operative Tobacco Growers Society. The Co-Operative continued into the 1930s, and closed in 1939, the last year in which tobacco was grown in the county.


http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/environment-geography/flora-fauna/the-tobacco-growing-indus/

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Flora and Fauna of Wexford Sloblands

A 1,000-hectare low lying flat polder land situated on the north side of Wexford Harbour was reclaimed from the sea in 1847. A two and a half mile long dyke was built from north of the Raven Point at the entrance of the harbour to the shore at Ardcavan, one and a half miles northeast of Wexford. This dyke enclosed 2,500 acres of mud flats and several islands the most important of which are Begerin Island, Big Island and Middle Island. These islands which comprise about 150 acres of the North Slobland stand out as low ridges in the other wise flat landscape.
The North Slob is roughly semi circular in shape, the sea-dyke forming the east-west diameter. A horseshoe shaped wide and shallow channel runs through the slob, ending abruptly at the sea-dyke near its east and west extremities.

This channel acts as a reservoir for the rainwater draining off the Sloblands and as the water rises in the channel it is pumped into Wexford Harbour via a pump-station on the sea-dyke at the west end of the channel.

Sloblands are below sea level. The reclaimed mudflats were divided up into large fields and kept dry by constant pumping. For about 100 years much of the Sloblands provided rough summer grazing for livestock, although parts were cultivated for cereals and root crops.

Horseriding on the slob

Nowadays most of the lands are sown with high quality grasses and winter/spring cereals although on occasions, a variety of other crops have been planted. Water plants and reed beds flourish along the edge of the drainage channels. The slobs are reminiscent of the Dutch polders. This is by its very nature, immensely attractive to wildfowl and waders.

The North Slob in Wexford is internationally famous for its wintering flock of 10,000 Greenland Whitefronted Geese (approximately one third of the world population), and for the wintering flocks of Brent Geese, Bewick's Swans and Wigeon. The North Slob is also very attractive to many other species of wildfowl and birds with almost 250 species now recorded.

There are many excellent vantage points to observe the birds and other fauna on the Wexford Sloblands.

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/environment-geography/flora-fauna/flora-and-fauna-of-wexfor/

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Invasive Species

Invasive species are organisms introduced into habitats in which they are not native. They are a major cause of biological diversity loss throughout the world and are considered biological pollutants. Without predators, parasites, and competitors that have kept their numbers in check, invasive species introduced into new habitats often overrun their new homes and crowd out native species. Once established, invasives can rarely be eliminated and the cost of control measures can be very high.
Humans cause most invasive species introductions. Invasives are carried in or on animals, vehicles, ships, commercial goods, produce and even clothing. Along the Clearwater, Snake and Columbia Rivers, there have been several introduced invasive species in the past few years, with the threat of further infestation by new species in the near future.
One invasive of particular concern is the zebra mussel. The zebra mussel is a nasty invasive species that spreads to new places by attaching to any hard surface in the water, this includes boat hulls, trailers, and fittings, and even aquatic plants. Colonies of these tiny shellfish have already infested numerous waterways in the east and midwest, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage through clogged pipes, ruined boat motors, and degraded fish and wildlife habitat.

Before moving your boat between bodies of water:

• Inspect your boat, trailer, and boating equipment (anchors, centerboards, rollers, axles) and remove any plants and animals that are visible before leaving the immediate vicinity of any water body.
• Drain water from the motor, livewell, bilge and transom wells on dry land before leaving the dock area.
• Dispose of bait in proper disposal facilities. Never release live bait into a water body or release aquatic animals from one water body into another.
• Wash and dry your boat, tackle, downriggers, trailer and other boating equipment to kill harmful species that were not visible at the boat launch. This can be done on your way home or once you have returned home. Be aware that some aquatic invasive species can survive more than two weeks out of the water.
• Learn what these organisms look like. If you suspect a new infestation of an invasive plant or animal, immediately report it to your natural resource agency.

http://www.ndwt.org/ndwt/natural_world/invasive_species.asp

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Endangered Species

Several threatened and endangered animal species share the waters and shorelines of the Northwest Discovery Water Trail. These animals range from the western pond turtle and bald eagle, to certain species of fish, such as steelhead, bull trout and salmon. The stories of declining species and the ongoing efforts to help restore their populations are intertwined with the human stories of survival and development.
For many, salmon define the spirit of the Pacific Northwest. Salmon have been central to the culture, religion and livelihood of the region’s native people for thousands of years. Salmon are anadramous fish. This means they are born in freshwater, mature at sea and return upstream to spawn and die in the stream where their lives began. This cycle can take years and thousands of miles journeying through fresh and saltwater. There are five species of Pacific salmon found along the trail: Chinook, chum, sockeye, coho and pink.
Bull trout are no longer found throughout their native waters. Today they survive only in some upper tributary streams and several lake and reservoir systems. Some bull trout spend their entire lives close to where they hatched. They are cold water fish and more sensitive to increased water temperature, poor water quality, and low water flow than salmon.
Humans are also affected by water quality and climate conditions. Care and study of threatened and endangered species is important to us all.
For more information on endangered species go to: http://endangered.fws.gov

Other Wildlife

The variety and number of wild animals match the wide diversity of landforms found near the Northwest Discovery Water Trail. Native animals will sometimes appear in huge numbers at unexpected places or be hard to find at refuges designed to protect them. Birds, mammals, and reptiles are part of the fascinating array of sights and sounds on the river.
Water birds, such as the gull and great blue heron, join raptors like vultures, eagles and osprey overhead. At certain times flocks of hundreds of geese and swans are migrating. Numerous other seasonal or resident waterfowl can be found in marshes and wetlands. Swallows dart quickly by on their hunt for water loving insects. Songbirds use low-lying shrubs and trees to nest and feed. Deer and elk use river and stream valleys as places to browse, drink and rest. Bighorn sheep and marmots appear high above on rocky outcrops, finding patches of grasses to eat. Sightings of beaver and river otter are not uncommon.
Refuges are one way to save native habitat for plants and wildlife, and to support fish and other water dwellers. Local, state, and federal parks, natural areas, and refuges have different regulations and closures during nesting or critical times for the survival of various species. Please observe wildlife with care, watch where you are stepping on fragile shoreline, and take only pictures from these special places.
Respect wildlife. Do not approach animals or attempt to feed them. If animals approach you while on the water, it is okay to let them, but do not move toward them. When moving on, do so directly away from the animal or its current path.

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Why Go Green?

There are a number of important reasons to Go Green with your business, the most significant being that preserving the world’s natural resources is the responsibility of every individual both at work and at home.
You can Go Green by:

• Setting a positive example for staff which boosts morale and company loyalty
• Gaining a competitive advantage by differentiating yourself as a Greenified company
• Improving efficiency and potentially lowering operating costs
• Providing a cleaner and healthier work environment

Going Green can be an incremental process. As with many other business efforts, there will be easily attainable action steps and more advanced requirements. It is impossible to say how far along the Green path any business should travel, but a focused effort can have a meaningful impact.
There has never been a more appropriate time to Go Green. Its value is recognised more so now than ever before. 











http://www.goldengate.com.mt/Content/34/why%20go%20green/

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New 'Pompeii' movie begs the question: Could Mount Vesuvius erupt again?

A professor of Roman archeology and a volcanologist weigh in on deadly volcanoes, the new film and the surprising evidence that some people may have survived the epic event. 

 

Photo: Sony Pictures

In the summer of 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted, obliterating the seaside resort of Pompeii. Volcanic ash covered everything, preserving evidence of the disaster for nearly two millennia. The story endures too, in accounts by eyewitness Pliny the Younger, who viewed the eruption from a nearby town, and in books, TV movies and films inspired by the catastrophe.

 

Director Paul W.S. Anderson’s “Pompeii” (opening Feb. 21) is the latest in the genre, focusing on a fictional love story to recount the explosive event, while endeavoring to recreate an ancient world as precisely as possible. His CGI Vesuvius erupts spectacularly, but how accurate is it? Is “Pompeii” true to history? And could this kind of cataclysmic eruption happen again there — or elsewhere on Earth? For answers, we turned to two experts, Sarah K. Yeomans, professor of Roman archeology at West Virginia University, and Dr. Rosaly Lopes, volcanologist and senior research scientist and manager of the Planetary Science Section at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

 

Yeomans, who has taken students to Pompeii many times over the last decade, characterizes the ruins there as uniquely “flash frozen in time. When we visit this site we get a real sense of how Romans lived and the things that were important to them. It’s the best insight we have into this ancient culture,” she says, which coupled with a morbid curiosity about devastating disasters, is what makes it so eternally fascinating.

 

“One of the things I really enjoyed was the way Paul Anderson reconstructed the site. He clearly has been there, had done the photography. For example the streets of Pompeii had [raised] stones that people would walk across to avoid mud, sludge and water,” she points out. “The way he reconstructed the houses was really well done, right down to graffiti inscribes on the walls.” The latter was often political or sexual in nature, but the phallic images had a purpose, “what we call an apotropaic function,” Yeomans explains. “They would put images of the phallus next to the doorways. It was a symbol to ward off evil and bad luck. Not all of them did this, but it does account for some of the ubiquity of phallic images.”

 

Visually, Yeomans believes the film “did a nice job with the layout of the city, with respect to where the amphitheater is and respect to other buildings,” and she appreciated its portrayal of the Pompeiian resentment of Rome, which had annexed it 150 years before. But she sees artistic license at play in the depiction of the volcanic eruption. “There was never a lava flow and these firebombs you see launching out of the volcano. That did not happen in this particular type of eruption. But it’s a movie, not a documentary,” she adds.

 

What killed most the population was a combination of heat and ash. “The most deadly phase of the eruption is what’s called a pyroclastic flow — basically super-heated mud that comes racing down at about 80 mph and that kills people pretty much immediately. Most of the people died of heat shock,” says Yeomans. "Nevertheless, there were a few who lived.”

 

“There is plenty of evidence that people did survive. We have inscriptions in other towns that were made by survivors of Pompeii who had relocated. We know that many people left when the earthquakes began. There are tunnels in Pompeii, evidence that people may have come back to tunnel down and retrieve some of their possessions.”

 

Yeomans, who “fell in love with Roman archaeology in my junior year in college” while studying abroad in the Roman ruins-laden region of southern France, says that Pompeii’s ruins are in a vulnerable state due to excavation and tourist traffic, “a pretty large concern at the moment. There have been several recent collapses of houses at the site. They’ve really slowed down on the granting of excavation permits and limit tourist traffic. There’s a great deal of the site that tourists are not allowed access to. The focus is on conserving what’s been excavated.”

 

Will a volcano catch us by surprise?

Also of concern is the possibility, however remote, that Mount Vesuvius — an active volcano — might erupt again. If it did, “It would be equally as dangerous and would affect many more people because now the area is much more populated. We have better technology for evacuation and detection now, though,” Yeomans points out. “Volcanoes are not going to catch us by surprise.” She explains that earthquakes precede volcanic eruptions, “which is what happened with Vesuvius in AD 79. The region is volcanic, and the Romans were used to seismic activity, but there’s no evidence to suggest that they connected the two. They didn’t realize that it was a warning sign of a coming eruption.”

 

According to Lopes, “Vesuvius has not erupted since 1944, and that was not a violent eruption. Not all eruptions of Vesuvius are as violent as the 79 A.D. eruption was; most are not. It could erupt again. The most violent eruptions of Vesuvius tend to occur after the volcano has rested for several hundred years. Vesuvius is very well monitored, so we will have some warning.”

 

Dr. Rosaly Lopes in Vanuatu (Photo courtesy NASA/JPL)

 

Globally, “There are many other volcanoes in the world that have the potential to have violent eruptions such as the 79 A.D. one. Mount St. Helens in 1980 was a violent explosive eruption,” she offers as an example. “There are about 600 volcanoes on land considered active, meaning they have been active in historic times and we think they are likely to erupt again. There are many underwater volcanoes along the spreading ridges. As for volcanoes in the U.S., Kilauea erupts often — and it has been active for decades — but not in a violent, explosive way. The most hazardous volcano in the U.S. is considered to be Mount Rainier. This means it could erupt in the near future and has the potential to be very dangerous — it could erupt in an explosive way like St. Helens in 1980. What makes it more dangerous is that it has glaciers at the top, and even a not-very-violent eruption could cause ice to melt, creating mudflows, which are very destructive.”

 

Lopes, who holds a degree in astronomy from the University of London, got into volcanology via a planetary geology course (when the professor missed class to cover a Mount Etna eruption; “I thought that sounded really exciting, and decided that I wanted to do that too.”) She says that in analyzing hazardous volcanoes, modern scientists “look at frequency of eruptions in the past, and how likely one is to happen again in the next few decades.”

 

For example, Yellowstone National Park is a hotbed of volcanic activity. “Yellowstone has had enormous eruptions in the past, it is the largest volcanic caldera on Earth. Calderas are formed by collapse following very violent eruptions. Yellowstone's violent eruptions last occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago. Although its eruptions could potentially be far more devastating than Mount Rainier's, they are less likely to happen in the near future,” she says. Consider yourself reassured. Or forewarned.

 

Sarah K. Yeomans with students at Pompeii. Mount Vesuvius is in the background. (Photo: Alyssa Beall)

 

 

 

 

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/stories/new-pompeii-movie-begs-the-question-could-mount-vesuvius-erupt

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Siamese crocodiles released into the wild

Hope for Siamese crocodile conservation as the second group of crocodiles is released into a secret site in southern Cambodia.

After an idle lifetime in the soupy water of a concrete pond, a young Siamese crocodile tests out a new element – the clear flowing water of a jungle river. One of eight individuals, this croclet is part of a test case release project that plans to rewild Cambodia’s rivers with this Critically Endangered species.
Fauna & Flora International (FFI) has been working to conserve Siamese crocodiles in Cambodia since rediscovering a remnant population during a survey of the Cardamom Mountains in 2000. Now numbering fewer than an estimated 300 individuals, the wild population crashed after facing multiple threats. Crocodiles were hunted for their skins, and driven out of former habitats by human encroachment; while young crocs were easily tangled and drowned in fishing nets. But for FFI’s and the Forestry Administration’s intervention, this species was doomed to slip into extinction.
In January this year, the Cambodian Crocodile Conservation Project (CCCP) released the second batch of crocodiles into a secret site in southern Cambodia. The first release in December 2012 saw 18 individuals released, including croclets bred in a specialised facility in Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre. The site was specially chosen: a remote forested stretch of prime habitat – somewhere that crocodiles used to live before they were extirpated by hunters and fishermen.
A number of the release crocodiles were fitted with radio tracking devices, enabling the CCCP team to monitor their movements. “Tracking the crocs after release is an essential part of the work, allowing us to see how they are faring, whether they stay in this location, or move on,” said Sarah Brook, FFI Cambodia’s Species Programme Manager.

Radio tagged croc basking among flowers (carnivorous bladderwort) on the riverbank. Credit: Jeremy Holden/FFI

“Five of the original ten transmitters we placed on the crocodiles have now outlived their battery life,” says Sam Han, CCCP Manager, who leads the team that monitor the radio tagged animals. “We are still picking up signals from three of the remaining transmitters, and regularly see other crocs that weren’t tagged. They have moved up and down stream, but return to the original release site and seem to be doing well.”

Siamese crocodile in the soft-release pen. Credit: Jeremy Holden/FFI

Community wardens now visit the location each month to ensure that hunting or fishing doesn’t threaten these new colonists. So far there have been no recorded casualties.
“This project is really a test case to see if the release initiative works,” said Sarah. If it does, we eventually plan to release crocodiles into suitable, well-protected river systems across Cambodia, and truly bring this species back from the brink.
“This will be a long-term prospect, and will require cooperation from zoos and breeders around the world. But if we are successful, we could see the return of one of Cambodia’s most charismatic species – an important part of both Cambodia’s ecosystems and its culture.”


http://www.fauna-flora.org/news/siamese-crocodiles-released-into-the-wild/

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Go Green

tip one  Look for and purchase products that are made from post-consumer content such as paper and plastic products. 

tip two  Recycle used office supplies whenever possible. 

tip three  Save paper by printing on both sides of a sheet of paper and printing in greyscale/draft whenever possible. 

tip four  Turn off your computer when not in use. 

tip five  Replace Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors with flat screen monitors. Flat screen displays consume only about one-third the energy of a CRT monitor. 

tip six  Keep computer equipment updated; current new computers and monitors are more energy efficient than those even just two years old. 

tip seven  Replace standard incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) wherever possible. These use 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs while delivering the same light. 

tip eight  Heat or cool your office to 23°C 
















http://www.goldengate.com.mt/Content/33/green-office-tips/

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How to Help Save the Planet

It's in big trouble, so you have two choices: Act now or live with global-warming guilt. (Go with the first one.)

 

This past February, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) unveiled its official (and highly anticipated) report on global climate change. This report, which was produced by 600 representatives from 40 countries all over the world, made a very scary statement: There's more than a 90 percent chance that global warming is caused by our burning of fossil fuels, which emit carbon dioxide. Read: Global warming is our fault.

Even scarier? According to the IPCC, global temperatures may rise between 1.1 and 6.4 degrees Celsius by the year 2100. Knowing that, the question becomes "What now?" We also wondered, Can one person really even make a difference? Well, according to the findings and to Nigel Campbell, chief media officer for Greenpeace International, the answer (thank goodness) is a resounding yes!

"Most important, you can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide you emit, which is the main greenhouse gas heating up the atmosphere," says Campbell. "Just simply making some small adjustments in your day-to-day activities means doing your part to help repair and prevent further global warming."

Here,with help from Campbell and other experts in the field, we arm you with a slew of super-easy strategies.

Lightbulbs are a major waste of energy if they're the regular kind, called incandescent. But if you swap three of those out for compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), you'll be using 60 percent less energy and sparing the planet a whopping 300 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Can't find CFLs in stores? Shop at the Energy Federation's online store (efi.org).

Frozen foods use 10 times more energy to produce than fresh foods do, so go fresh whenever you can. Even better? Seek out a farmers' market near your town. They reduce the amount of energy required to grow and transport food by one-fifth. Check the National Directory of Farmers' Markets for one near you.

Switch to cloth napkins. You can use them again and again before washing them in a full load, which saves energy and is less damaging than the tree devastation that happens in order to make the paper kind. Remember, trees absorb carbon dioxide.

If you knew how many of your cleaning products contained toxic chemicals that get into the atmosphere, you probably wouldn't use them. (Plus, something about using toxic stuff to clean just seems weird.) There are lots of eco-friendly products on the market right now. Try the Method line, which is sold at Target.

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/advice/tips/save-the-planet

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10 Interesting Facts About Animals

Amazing, Fun & Interesting Facts About Animals

The term animals can be used to inculcate a large amount of creatures. Not confined only to the green jungles but they co-exist with us. We are aware of the existence of some while the rest are just a mystery. They vary  in size, variety, and most important of all in possession of unique qualities. Some disgust us, some are adorable, some are our friends but some make us pressurize our brains and surprise us with their uniqueness to such an extent that we feel awed. Here are some amazing & interesting facts about Animals

Interesting Facts About Animals

#1: Maintenance is Essential

As a beaver’s teeth never attain maturity, they must constantly nibble on objects to keep them at a manageable length.  If not looked after they would eventually make their way into their brain.

#2: Bad Attempt

Humpback whales create the loudest sound of any living creature. And you thought you scream while attempting to win that argument with the jerk, was the loudest that anyone could be. Didn’t you?

#3: Communicating Feelings

Pigs connect constantly with one another; more than 20 vocalizations have been identified that pigs use in different situations, from wooing mates to passing on the message of their hungry stomachs.

#4: Advantages of a Long Nose

Elephants can smell water up to 3 miles away, and I thought water was odourless. They are also one of the three mammals that undergo menopause – the other two being humpback whales and human females.

#5: The Immortal Jellyfish

Well, kind of. It is still susceptible to predators but the Turritopsis nutricula jellyfish is extremely good at recreating cells, scientists are putting in their hard work with all the knowledge in their brains to apply it to humans as well and bring about an unparalleled transformation in the human world too.

#6: Humpback Whales ‘Pop’ Tunes

It turns out; mating tunes evolves and spreads over a large population of whales. As per many scientists it’s like going viral underwater because never before such a wide population-wide cultural exchange has taken place in any other species other than humans, on such a broad scale.

#7: Penguin’s Style of Making Love

One of the very interesting facts about animals is that they too fall in love like human beings. Gentoo penguins have got a unique style of proposing their lifemates, they propose their lover with a pebble. It is often seen in the breeding season of penguins.

#8: Being lazy

A bald eagle’s nest was found that had been used for a time period as long as 34 years, weighing over two tons, and we are always busy blaming the pandas for being the laziest.

#9: Benefits of Keeping Patience

Species entitled as Cryptoses choloepi, Bradipodicola hahneli, Cryptoses rufipictus, Cryptoses waagei and Bradyphila garbei, unheard of by a majority of us are very convenient moths that take residence in the fur of a sloth as algae covers it due to their slowness. This can be referred to as one of the best advantages taken of someone’s patience. These moths are referred to as “Slothmoths”.

#10: Being African

A majority of 6 feet tall men and women have been giving a competition against the South African earthworms that is capable of growing as large as 22 feet long, with the average length being about 6 feet long.

Read more: http://whatthafact.com/interesting-facts-about-animals/#ixzz2uDmen7xt

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10 Amazing Nutritional Benefits of Papaya

10 Amazing Health & Nutritional Benefits of Papaya, Nutrition Facts of Papaya

Papaya is an amazingly delicious fruit referred to as ‘fruits of angels’. And let me tell you one more secret! When used on your face on a regular basis you might resemble an angle too. It is very easily available and affordable. You can grow it in your kitchen garden as well. Papaya’s nutritional benefits are really amazing.
This fruit is packed with nutrients that are truly beneficial for health which possess digestive, nutritional and medicinal features with curing capability for many diseases. It features buttery flesh inside the peel and is pear shaped. It is produced in all seasons especially in summer. Papayas are eaten in yellow ripen state or green papaya is added in curries. It is a traditional herbal medicine.

Nutritional Benefits of Papaya

#1: Papaya gives you glowing skin

• Papaya’s nutrition facts are beneficial against acne, pimples and other skin infections. It opens your pores of the skin. Papayas are mostly used in face packs.
• Fresh papayas possess dead cell dissolving ability that gives you a perfectly glowing skin.
• It is protective against skin infections and wounds too. Isn’t it great! This nutritional benefit of papaya is used by all beauty product companies

#2: Helps in digestion

• Papayas contain digestive enzymes that digest proteins by breaking the protein content. The enzyme that helps in digestion is mostly found in unripe state.
• It is full of digestive supplements and is also used in chewing gums. So next time your stomach is upset, cheer it up with a papaya.

#3: Papaya leaves increase the appetite in your body and cures menstrual pain

• The usage of blended papaya leaves in Luke warm water increases appetite in your body.
• The nutritional benefits of papaya are more useful for women, as papaya leaves also works as a cure for menstrual pain. You can take papaya leaf, tamarind and salt along with water that is helpful in frequent pain in women menstruation cycle.

#4: It heals wounds and prevents from blood clots

• An active enzyme fibrin is found in papaya which is also available in animal and human body. It helps in digestion and also prevents blood clots. It acts as healing reagent for external and internal wounds as well.
• It also prevents unnecessary blood clotting inside body.

#5: It controls bowel movements

• Papaya and its seeds possess anti-amoebic and anti-parasitic characters which controls the bowel movements. It cures diseases like indigestion, constipation, acid reflux, heart burn, irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ulcers and gastric problems also.

#7: It has anti cancer properties

• Papaya’s nutritional benefits are very good for curing cancer as it contains Flavonoid contents which act as antioxidants for your body which include beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin are essential for curing cancer diseases.
• As we know fruits which contain carotenes protects from lung and oral cavity cancers.
• It controls the production of oxygen free radicals which cause harm to body and health.

#8: It protects heart

• Potassium is also present in a large amount in fresh papayas which helps in regulation of cell body fluids.
• It controls flow of blood maintain the proper blood pressure. It regulates harmful sodium effects inside the body. So it protects you from heart diseases. This is why nutritional benefits of papaya do wonders for heart patients.

#9: It is used for weight loss treatment

• Papayas are very low in calories with lot of vitamin contents, essential nutrients, minerals that is helpful in giving your body a perfect healthy diet.

• Papayas contains Vitamin C, E & A, folate, it also gives only 39 calories per a 100 gram. Presence of antioxidants burns your calorie down and extra fat deposits. So you can have a healthy breakfast with papaya. Papaya’s nutrition benefits are amazing, you can eat it as in salads, juice. The cocktails of papaya have lot of health benefits.

#10: Papayas are known to be natural medicine

• Papayas cure many diseases, infections and maintain good health. Papaya seeds also show different health benefits. The seeds also kill ring worms inside your stomach.
• Papaya leaves cure fever, dengue, skin diseases and several other diseases. So it is one of the best fruit with lot of health benefits.

Read more: http://whatthafact.com/nutrition-facts-of-papaya/#ixzz2uDlrdHWc

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5 Health Benefits of Avocados

I know what you are thinking: What? This guy again? And avocados? I love those creamy little treasures of nature, why do I need to know about the health benefits? Let me tell you why: because you aren’t eating enough of these delectable delights. That’s why.

1. Basics

The avocado is a fruit (not a vegetable) originally found in the Central Mexico region, which ripens after it is picked. There are more than 500 of varieties of avocado and it has been cultivated for more than 10,000 years. It is also known as the alligator pear because of its scaly skin. The outside skin and the pit are inedible, despite millennia of efforts (I mean, they are edible, sort of like gravel is technically edible). Avocados were first introduced to the United States in 1871, when Judge R.B. Ord planted three trees in Santa Barbara, California.

2. Creamy Deliciousness & Nutritious!

While avocados have a high caloric count (one avocado is 320 calories), the various nutrients and “healthy” fats make it a must-eat. Some call the avocado the alphabet fruit because of all the vitamins it contains. One avocado provides your body with vitamins A, C, E, K and B6, along with an enormous amount of potassium and “healthy” fat. Perhaps the biggest health benefit of avocados is that by adding avocado to certain foods, you can improve your absorption of nutrients. This means that when you combine other fat burning foods with avocado, you can improve your nutrient absorption up to 400%! Avocados can also reduce the signs of aging, regulate blood sugar and improve eye health.

3. Good for the Heart

The fat content of an avocado provides protection against heart diseases. Studies have shown that oleic acid improves cardiovascular health. Oleic acid is the primary fatty acid in avocadoes. Many people now take supplements in order to consume more omega-3 fatty acids to lower their risk of heart disease. Avocadoes are rich in omega-3, delivering 160 milligrams per cup of alpha-linolenic acid.

4. Vegetarians and Vegans Rejoice – Protein!

Avocadoes provide all 18 essential amino acids necessary for the body to form a complete protein. Unlike the protein in steak, which is difficult for most people to digest, avocado protein is readily absorbed by the body because avocadoes also contain fiber. If you are trying to cut down on animal sources of protein in your diet, or if you are a vegetarian or vegan seeking more protein, avocadoes are a great nutritional ally to include not merely as an occasional treat, but as a regular part of your diet.

5. To Read with your Guacamole

Here a couple of choice items to chew over. Once an avocado is picked, it takes between 7 and 10 days to ripen. Keeping it in the refrigerator will slow down the ripening process, while putting it in a paper bag with a ripe apple will speed up the process. Avocados have the highest protein content of any fruit. The first Hass avocado tree is still alive and producing fruit. Brazilians add avocados to their ice cream and Indonesians make avocado shakes (see below).

Bet You Didn’t Know:

On average, 53.5 million pounds of guacamole are eaten every Super Bowl Sunday, enough to cover a football field more than 20 feet thick.

To-do:

It’s time to start thinking of avocados as a regular diet supplement rather than a frisky Saturday treat. Get them into your daily diet in salads, on sandwiches or just plain. Start changing the way people view them and you will see more of them around.

Recipes:

Simple is Best! I am an extremely lucky guy. Not only is my wife a wonderful cook (and a wonderful person!) but her family owns an avocado ranch down in southern California – that’s my boy on the back of the trailer. When we were dating and I visited her parents for the first time, I had little to no experience with avocados and guacamole. We weren’t there for more than a few hours, when her aunt walked out into the orchard, picked up a couple of ripe avocados from the ground, came back inside, sliced and mashed them, and we had guacamole. No fancy additions. No cilantro or tomatoes (or salsa!) or any of that nonsense – no Sir! – just plain avocado mashed up and eaten with some lovely blue corn chips. And that’s one of my recipes for you today.

http://www.fullcircle.com/goodfoodlife/2012/06/21/5-health-benefits-of-avocados/

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Recognize Benefits of TEA

Drink tea in my spare time while inhaling fresh air certainly evoke a pleasant atmosphere .Aroma fragrance than this drink at any sniff adds another sense of calm and fresh , especially at a time when the mind was fatigue . On the contrary tranquility enjoyed it , contained a lot of benefits that you may not know .

1 ) Prevent KanserThe content of polyphenols present in green tea is an antioxidant ingredients most memorable prevent the risk of the spread and growth of cells in the blood kanser . Those who practice regularly drink green tea is said to stonewall kanser risk of breast , prostate , stomach and intestines .
2 ) YoungerIt is said that in 10 ounces of tea to drink every day attempt to absorb excess fat and cholesterol that include arteries of your heart . In addition to making the heart more counsel , the practice of drinking tea helped someone make it look young and energetic .
3 ) Weight DownIn accordance practiced for those who Want to slim and eternal counsel . Green tea is said to help the process of burning calories so you lose weight .
4 ) Power MemoryIn addition to preventing kanser , high content of antioxidants present in tea also helps strengthen memory and fight free radicals rather than attacking the brain . Those who drank two cups of tea a day to avoid cognitive problems than those who rarely drank directly .
5 ) Stabilize Blood Pressure50 % of people who drink tea rather than avoid developing high blood pressure versus those who never enjoy it . It contains polyphenols that you indulge in tea can keep the blood vessels , lowering cholesterol levels and preventing stroke .

 

http://healthyfitconcept.blogspot.com/2014/02/recognize-benefits-of-tea.html

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Rafflesia Life History

" a penetrating smell more repulsive than any buffalo carcass in an advanced stage of decomposition" (Mjoberg, 1928) There are approximately 17 Rafflesia species distributed throughout Southeast Asia (Nais, 2000; Meijer, 1997; Mat Salleh, 1991). These species are highly specific as to the hosts that they parasitize, preferring only a few species of Tetrastigma (a member of the common grape family) that are distributed in the same geographic area. Although technically a member of the plant kingdom, Rafflesia challenges traditional definitions of what a plant is because they lack chlorophyll and are therefore incapable of photosynthesis (as are all members of its family, Rafflesiaceae).
	While many parasites appear like normal plants, Rafflesia lacks any observable leaves, roots, or even stems (Meijer, 1993). Likened to fungi, Rafflesia individuals grow as thread-like strands of tissue completely embedded within and in intimate contact with surrounding host cells from which nutrients and water are obtained (Mat Salleh, 1996). Perhaps the only part of Rafflesia that is identifiable as distinctly plant-like are the flowers; however, even these are bizarre because they attain massive proportions (up to 3 ft in diameter) and are usually reddish-brown and stink of rotting flesh.. Although parasitic, Rafflesia species do not typically kill their hosts in spite of the drain on resources that they cause.
Pollination in Rafflesia has been studied (Beaman et al., 1988) but is likely a rare event due to the several factors. The flowers are unisexual and single sites usually produce either male or female flowers (see exception below). Therefore, in order to have effective pollination (reproduction), male flowers must be in close proximity to, and open at the same time as female flowers so that flies (or any other insect) can transfer pollen.
	While male and female individuals could be closely spaced, flower bud mortality is 80-90 % per site thereby reducing the chance of co-flowering of two individuals (Nais, 2000). Furthermore, flower lifespan is only 5-7 days thereby placing a temporal bottleneck on the process of pollination (Beaman et al., 1988; Nais, 2000). To complicate matters further, current population distributions are fragmented due to habitat destruction. Thus, successful sexual reproduction relies on the unlikely event that a male and a female would bloom during the same 5-7 days and that a fly could carry pollen between the often widely separated populations.
Challenges to Studying Rafflesia There are several reasons Rafflesia has remained difficult to study for the 180 years since its discovery. First, individuals grow entirely embedded within the body of the host plant that they parasitize (Kuijt, 1969). As such, Rafflesia individuals are only visible when they erupt from within the host body as a flower bud. Although traditional means of studying Rafflesia, like anatomical sectioning, could be performed, this method would likely result in death of both the host and parasite. Second, Rafflesia is rare in occurrence and can only be found in relatively remote lowland forests of Southeast Asia. In this region, much of its habitat has been converted to farm land or timber concessions and in some parts of its range, the buds are harvested and sold for their purported medicinal qualities. Third, even once Rafflesia individuals become visible as flowers, these only survive a few days before decomposing. All of these factors make it difficult to even find Rafflesia sites and even when they are known, the sites are often not protected so there is no guarantee that they will exist in subsequent years.
	Unlike other parasites that are important to study due to the economic loss they cause to important crops, Rafflesia causes economic benefit through ecotourism: thousands of people go to Sabah (Malaysian, Borneo) annually hoping to see Rafflesia blooms (Nais & Wilcock, 1998).
For this reason, there is great interest in conserving Rafflesia sites rather than eradicating existing populations (as is the case for noxious parasitic plant weeds). Although preserving as much of its habitat as possible would be the simplest and most obvious way to conserve Rafflesia, this is not currently practical throughout its range. Therefore, there is a need to investigate key questions that will establish priorities for ex situ (not natural habitat) propagation (which is only recently possible for the first time in history [Nais & Wilcock, 1999]), management of currently protected sites and procurement of unprotected sites, and in situ (within natural habitat) breeding programs.    http://homepages.wmich.edu/~tbarkman/rafflesia/Rafflesia.html

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Abuko Nature Reserve

Abuko Nature Reserve, Africa, was the Gambia's first reserve and is located in the Western Region (WR), (geographical coordinates: 13.41°N, 16.65°W). Part of it was accorded a form of 'protected status' back in 1916 when the source of the Lamin (Bolon) Stream was fenced to form a water collection point.

In 1967 a local Gambian man called Kalilu requested the then acting wildlife officer, Eddie Brewer (OBE), to shoot a leopard that had been killing their pigs which had been feeding there illegally. When he visited the spot with his daughter, Stella, they saw an amazing richness of Gambian wildlife and flora and realised the conservation importance of the stream running through Abuko. They made a request to the government to protect it which was promptly approved when it was officially declared a nature reserve in March 1968.

Abuko's size was extended from 188 to 259 acres in 1978 and enclosed in a 2.5 metre fence with the help of the WWF. It is among six protected wildlife management parks and covers an area of 105 hectares (roughly 2 sq. km). The park  is rectangular in shape with a surrounding narrow strip around its boundaries acting as an extra buffer zone. Later in its development 2,000 malina trees were planted to act as an extra barrier against encroachment by locals.

Today, Abuko is the Gambia's most visited tourist attraction receiving approximately 33,000 visitors per year. One interesting fact is that it is the nearest tropical forest to Europe.

Habitats:
The evergreen forest gallery follows the course of the Lamin Stream and covers approximately 1/3 its total area. Efforts are being concentrated on maintaining the crooked bush trails, bird photo hides, the animal orphanage as well as the boundary to prevent encroachment by people and cattle. There are a number of small pools at the bottom end or the reserve with the biggest being called the Bamboo Pool.  In and around the freshwater pond is the ideal location to spot crocodiles and birds.  Its location is within easy reach by taxi from any of the main coastal holiday resorts. It is an ideal first stop for birdwatchers and animal enthusiasts as well as tourist in general. There are designated guides on site to help you locate animals and birds while on the forest trail and a tip is always appreciated though not mandatory.

Park Management:
The conservation of the animals and plants is managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management who are based at the Darwin Field Station for Biodiversity. There main aim is to protect the location and prevent species extinction and helps to fund its activities by charging day trippers an entrance fee.

Flora:
Fifty types of mature tropical trees have been recorded in the protected area. Abuko's main geographic features are several kinds of habitat starting with thick tropical canopy which after 50 to 100m from the stream gives way to Guinean savanna. Probably due to increased borehole water removal the natural habitat has seen the gradual disappearance of mature tropical trees of which the most obvious is the A. Procera and the E. Guineensis. For non experts the trees are labelled.

Avi Fauna:
It has been estimated that there are over 290 bird species living within the forest gallery. Among the birds are Pied Kingfishers, African paradise flycatcher, Willow Warblers, waxbills, western bluebill , manikins, doves, lily trotters, giant kingfisher C. maxima, palm nut vultures, hammerkop Scopus umbretta, Ceryle rudis, grey headed bristle bill, white crowned robin chat, grey backed camaroptera, lanner falcon, pygmy kingfisher, violet turacoes, African thrush, fork tailed drongo, black Herons, squacco heron, oriole warbler, Black crake, red bellied fly catchers, little greenbul,  yellow breasted apalis, cattle egrets, Abyssinian roller, purple glossy starling & the Green Touraco.

Fauna:
There are 4 primate species: Vervet monkey, Red Colobus monkey, red Patas and Bush Babies. The other mammalian types include the Grimms Duiker, Ground Squirrel, Savannah Antelopes, Bushbuck Colobus badius, Tragelaphus, Brush Tailed Porcupine, Viverra civetta, sitatunga T. spekei, Erythrocebus patas, Mungos gambianus, serval Felis, Heliosciurus gambianus, Thryonomys swinderianus, Galago senegalensis, Actophilornis Africana, Tauraco Persa, Gastropyxis smaragdina Crocodylus niloticus, Xerus erythropus, Cercopithecus aethiops, Palm civet Nandinia binotata and several types of rodent including the Cane Rat.

Threats to the monkeys of The Gambia:
E. D. Starin 1
a1 Department of Anthropology, City University of New York, Graduate Center, 33 West 42nd Street, New York City, NY, USA. Published online by Cambridge University Press 24 Apr 2009.

"Abstract
There are five, perhaps only four, monkey species in The Gambia and all are under threat. The main problems are habitat destruction, hunting of crop raiders and illegal capture for medical research. The information presented here was collected during a long-term study from March 1978 to September 1983 on the socio-ecology of the red colobus monkey in the Abuko Nature Reserve. Further information was collected during brief periods between February 1985 and April 1989 on the presence of monkeys in the forest parks. It is not systematic nor extensive, but it indicates clearly that action is needed if monkeys are to remain as part of the country's wildlife. The most pressing need is for survey work to supply the information needed to work out a conservation plan."

Among the reptiles at the park are the Monitor Lizard, Nile Crocodile, West African crocodile, Dwarf Crocodile, Spitting Cobra, black cobra, python Python sebae, Puff Adders, emerald snake & Green Mamba though it is rare to see.

There are also numerous butterflies and moths such as the Saturnis.

While there you can also visit the Animal Orphanage which was set up in 1997 as a rehabilitation centre by the DPWM. It cares for parrots, hyenas as well as  various kinds of Monkeys including Chimpanzees. Also located on the reserve is the Darwin Field Station which is a research centre focused on maintaining The Gambia's biodiversity. There is also an exhibition, the Abuko Conservation Education Centre and refreshments area which are concentrated around the animal orphanage.

Nature Trail:
Starting your trek you will first come across loose leafed Guinea savanna and you will see trunks covered in mud deposited by tree ants. The trail later drops towards the main Bamboo Pool which is partly covered in water-lilies and fringed by large palms. You will then come across a wooden foot bridge which spans a small swampy stream and goes past the first bird hide and towards the visitor's centre. This building was built in 1970 as a rest house for visitors.

If you make your way up to the observation platform it is possible to get a birds-eye-view of  large lizards, numerous feathered avians and Dwarf or Nile Crocodiles (particularly in the mornings when they come out of the water to sunbath).

From this point you follow the nature trail which leads you to thick, dark, lush vegetation. As you turn left you will see the first glimmering of open bright savanna which is soon interrupted by  more thick jungle which is interspersed at ground level with huge trunks and large root systems. If you look carefully you can see numerous ground squirrels, brightly coloured beetles, vervet monkeys, soldier ants, birds and butterflies. As you continue along the cooked path leading along the southeast you will arrive at an enclosure housing some vultures and hyenas at the Animal Orphanage.

There is a kiosk here where you can enjoy some refreshments. In the next enclosure you can observe Crowned cranes, baboons and bushbuck and next to them you will come across a few lions. From this area there is a path that veers off towards the exit if you are feeling a little tired by this time.

A walk along the trail can take you a couple of hours though there is a short-cut route.

Contacts details:
Department of Parks & Wildlife
Management.
Tel no: +220 4375888
                     4376972
Fax:              4392179
Email: wildlife@gamtel.gm

Travel Information:
If you are not with a tour operator you can pick up a cheap bush taxi from Westfield Junction that is going to Lamin Village on the main Serrekunda to Brikama road and ask to be let off at the front entrance. The best time to visit for birdwatchers is early morning or late afternoon as you can avoid the tourist crowds who tend to come over in the late morning or early afternoon.

Wear thick sturdy boots, use mosquito repellent & bring along some refreshments if you plan to stay long.

An entrance fee is payable. With a tour operator it could cost around D150 for a day trip. If you use a tour operator then the cost could be up to £30 for a full guided tour as well as hotel transfers. Refreshments are available should you wish to spend the day there.



http://www.accessgambia.com/information/abuko-nature-reserve.html

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