Source: natgeokids.com
So, here's an unusual chain of events—
Arctic wolf spiders are getting larger. And
as a result of the increased populations and
increased population densities, the spiders
have changed their eating habits.
Wolf spiders were known to eat a
fungus-eating arthropod known as a
springtail. But after populations were
monitored over two summers, although it
was expected that the larger wolf spiders
would consume more springtails, the
opposite was true. In fact, fewer springtails
were eaten and it's thought that the
spiders were eating each other, or perhaps
they discovered a different food source.
The effect of this on the Arctic tundra is
that the increased population of springtails
means that more fungus was eaten and
so the rate of fungal decomposition is
lowered, as is the amount of greenhouse
gas released into the atmosphere and that
all helps to fight climate change.
SPIDERS HELP
COOL THE
ARCTIC
So, here's an unusual chain of
events—Arctic wolf spiders are
getting larger. And as a result of
the increased populations and
increased population densities,
the spiders have changed their
eating habits.
Wolf spiders were known to
eat a fungus-eating arthropod
known as a springtail. But after
populations were monitored
over two summers, although it
was expected that the larger wolf
spiders would consume more
springtails, the opposite was true.
In fact, fewer springtails were
eaten and it's thought that the
spiders were eating each other,
or perhaps they discovered a
different food source.
The effect of this on the Arctic
tundra is that the increased
population of
springtails means
that more fungus
was eaten and so
the rate of fungal
decomposition
is lowered, as is
the amount of
greenhouse gas released into the
atmosphere and that all helps to
fight climate change.
TINY TORTOISE FIRST
1...
As the legend goes, the dying King Arthur
threw his magical sword Excalibur, into a lake
where a hand emerged and took it below.
On vacation with his family, Paul Jones
had just related this story before he and
his children took a dip in Dozmary
Pool, Cornwall—the very waters
where the "lady of the lake" was said
to have received Arthur's sword.
Paul's seven-year-old daughter
Matilda, was standing waist deep in
the lake when she said she could see
the sword. Her dad told her not to be
silly but then looked down to see the
four-foot-long sword lying on the lake
bed.
The sword Excalibur was said to be
enchanted and could only belong to
the rightful ruler of Britain. So perhaps
Matilda should now be heir to the throne
and the rightful Queen?
The Jones family decided that it was
probably just an old film prop.
GIRL FINDS
"EXCALIBUR"
18 • Off icial Kids Mag • OC T & NOV 2018
