I just moved to a new place in the country and want to avoid the mistake of thinking I own the natural world. Becoming a member of an ecosystem can be difficult, but with so many apps at our fingertips, we can now explore and understand the flora, fauna, and geological features around us with unprecedented ease. Masu.
Digital tools offer us a window into the complex web of life, reminding us that we belong to a place rather than assuming it is ours. But without insight into a place and its natural ways, we cannot make choices that support biodiversity and preserve nature as we find it. By learning about the native and invasive species of our region, we can help preserve the natural state of our environment and help it evolve naturally, rather than shaping it to suit our needs.
In my case, many of the lessons I had to learn involved unlearning habits developed over decades of lawn care and urban gardening. To preserve a largely pristine site, you need to know when not to pull things like weeds. But choosing local flowers and plants has already become a thrilling experience. Because the local color spectrum and the order of early, mid-summer, and late summer flowers and harvests in the garden fill my calendar with dates I can look forward to.
As you learn about your local ecosystem, we recommend creating a calendar of upcoming events. Set scheduled dates for cleaning, careful watering, blooming, and harvesting so you can continue to participate in the life of where you live.
Flora: Revealing the Green World
Click here for the image and plantum is a plant guide that helps you identify and learn about plants near you.
PictureThis is my go-to app for detailed information about plant species, including their characteristics and care tips. Simply point your camera lens at a tree, shrub, or groundcover and you'll get a complete guide to easily identify and care for it, and in the case of invasive species, the need for removal. In my case, I have found that two invasive species, Himalayan Blackberry and Sweet Violet, are well established and will require extensive attention over the next few years to completely eradicate them.
Plantum also provides insight into plant health and growing conditions, deepening our understanding of the plants that thrive alongside us.
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Fauna: discover your neighbors
i naturalist and Search by iNaturalist A comprehensive tool for exploring local wildlife. iNaturalist allows you to record and share your observations about animals, and posts through these apps contribute to a global database that supports scientific research. Seek also offers a more interactive experience, allowing you to identify wildlife in real time so you can learn about the species you encounter.
Marlinbird ID, bird paintingand insect painting Specializes in the world of birds and insects. Merlin Bird ID uses technology similar to music identification apps to help bird lovers identify bird songs and learn about different bird species. Picture Bird offers a similar service with an image-based approach. Meanwhile, Picture Insect dives into the realm of insects, spiders, ants, and larvae, providing identification and information about these often overlooked but important creatures.
fish painting It opens a window to the underwater world and helps users identify and understand different fish species, their habitats, and behavior. I live on a river, so this app helps me increase my knowledge about aquatic ecosystems and the creatures that live there. There are more fish beneath the surface than people are used to pulling out of rivers and streams.
Aquatic organisms and geological features
soil web goes below the surface and gives us a glimpse of the world beneath our feet. This app provides detailed soil data such as type, composition, and suitability for different plant species, increasing your understanding of the foundations of ecosystems. In my case, I live in the Southern Cascades, so my habitat is mostly volcanic rock, gravel, and soil. Crater Lake's predecessor, Mount Mazama, buried the area in ash 7,700 years ago. SoilWeb takes a layer-by-layer look at what's beneath my feet, providing insight into annual rainfall and how the soil drains.
rock identifier is the geology enthusiast's companion, helping you identify and learn about different types of rocks and geological formations. This app not only helps you understand the natural history of a place, but also promotes awareness of the slow and powerful forces that shape our planet.
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take steps based on new knowledge
Having a list of animals, birds, insects, fish, flowers, plants, and trees in your garden will give you the basis for making better choices when decorating or simply beautifying the place. Consider taking the following steps:
Eliminate harmful pesticides and herbicides that contribute to declining pollinator populations. If you still have Roundup in your garage, please dispose of it responsibly to avoid losing local bees and insects that are essential to the life cycle of plants, animals, and humans.
Focus on removing non-native plants and giving native varieties room to grow and reproduce naturally. It's fine to have invasive species that don't spread out of control, but it's important to eradicate and eradicate invasive species whose seeds can travel on the wind and spread through animal fur and bird populations over time. need to do it.
Join us in counting wildlife, birds, and fish to help science more fully understand our world. US Forest Service, CitizenScience.govand National Geographic are great places to find projects that welcome citizen scientists.
and Please be sure to vote Participate in local and national elections, paying close attention to environmental and social policies designed to encourage sustainable practices.
By honing our naturalistic knowledge through the lens of these apps, we learn not just to see, but to understand and appreciate the tapestry of life to which we belong. Try these apps to satisfy your curiosity about the natural world and develop respect for the ecosystems we live in.
Recognizing that we are part of a larger web of life encourages us to live more sustainably and responsibly, ensuring the world's natural diversity for future generations. This will allow you to save it. In some cases, technology can be used to reinforce the idea that we are stewards of the earth rather than conquerors.