Not all non-native plants are invasive plants, but all invasive plants are non-native. Non-native plants are simply plants that didn’t originally come from the area they are currently growing in and can include plants not only from other continents but also from the opposite side of a country. They don’t actively harm an ecosystem, but they likely won’t be as efficient as native plants in supporting native animal species. In contrast, invasive plants are non-native plants that grow unchecked and harm ecosystems by choking out and out-competing native plant species. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
