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  • Socotra: A Unique Island with Strange Trees and Animals

    Socotra: A Unique Island with Strange Trees and Animals

    The trees in Socotra look like the umbrellas of giant frogs. The animals here are considered as quite strange. The plants and environment are unlike anywhere else in the world. You will feel like another planet or a different world altogether.

    Socotra

    You might think aliens live here. This place is called Socotra. Deep Socotra rises on the shores of the Arabian Sea off Yemen. Long ago, Arab sailors lived here. Ships from Socotra used to travel around the world to supply sugar. The trees that look like frog umbrellas have a sticky substance like blood in them. This is used in ointments, medicines, and lipsticks. These trees can grow up to 32 feet tall. Socotra is also home to many colorful flowers.

    Socotra is special not only because of its trees but also its animals. Strange birds, legless lizards, reptiles, and other unique animals live here. Out of 31 species of animals in Socotra, 29 are found nowhere else in the world.

    About 50,000 people live in Socotra. They earn their living by fishing, growing palms, and raising animals. They have their own language and culture, which is slowly disappearing. Before there was an airport, ships were the only way to reach Socotra.

    There are a few guest houses for tourists, but no high-quality hotels. Public transport is limited, so you need to explore the island on foot. The best time to visit is from October to April. Unfortunately, deforestation and climate change are starting to harm this unique place.

  • Oak Trees in Andalusia: Research Uncovers Longer Pollen Seasons

    Oak Trees in Andalusia: Research Uncovers Longer Pollen Seasons

    A team of researchers from the University of Cordoba conducted a study on oak trees in Andalusia to understand how climate change affects allergy seasons. The research focused on Quercus genus oak trees because they are common in Andalusia and release a lot of pollen into the air.

    Oak Trees

    This makes them a good indicator of climate change effects on blooming. The study found that pollen seasons for oak trees are getting longer and more intense due to global warming. This affects various oak species including holm, cork, common, Portuguese, and kermes oaks.

    The blooming of oak trees starts earlier now, especially for species like holm oak that are sensitive to temperature changes. This leads to a longer pollen season overall. There were some variations observed like in Granada where early blooming didn’t happen possibly due to rainfall before spring.

    Climate factors like rising temperatures and increased CO2 levels are causing these changes. Higher CO2 levels make plants more active, leading to earlier blooming and more pollen production. While oak pollen isn’t usually a major allergen, its increasing presence and longer pollen seasons could impact people with allergies. This is similar to what happened with cypress pollen, which used to be harmless but now causes winter allergies.

    The researchers collected data using air sampling devices to measure pollen concentrations. This helped them accurately track pollen seasons and compare their findings with other studies. The study emphasizes the importance of standardizing methods for measuring pollen seasons. This will help researchers understand the health impacts of climate change-related pollen allergies better.

    Oak trees are important for their strength, longevity, and the habitats they provide for wildlife. They can be found in various regions of the world and are known for their distinctive hardwood. Some oak trees shed their leaves annually, while others keep them year-round. Their leaves are usually lobed and come in different sizes and shapes, making them easy to identify.