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7 of the Greatest Benefits of using Lip Balm This Winter
7 of the Greatest Benefits of using Lip Balm This Winter
Everyone loves being outside when a fresh layer of snow blankets
the ground. However, before you head out to play, add a fresh
layer of lip balm protection to your lips. Ideally you...
Alaska Salmon Fishing Tips
Alaska is known as one of the most bountiful areas with salmon,
and is ideal for fishing trips.
This is because of extreme tides along the West Coast and the
gush of ocean currents that create an environment ideal for the
breeding of...
External Frame vs. Internal Frame Backpacks
Long and frequent has been the debate amongst hikers and campers
regarding the use of internal or external frame backpacks. Many
old timers insist that external frame packs are the way to go,
mainly due to years of utilizing externals, and...
Identify the ways to save energy
People have started to be more and more aware about the fact that they need to save energy in their household for a variety of reasons. The first reason, which is in fact the one that mostly affects them, is related to the financial aspect. Thus, by...
Protecting America with Specialty Gases
Prior to 9/11, environmental concerns largely focused on
monitoring, controlling and reducing the pollution the
industrial revolution had set in motion. From a specialty gas
point of view, our efforts at Scott focused primarily on
developing the...
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Wild Boar - Good for environment?
Environmental Benefits of Wild Boar in California
Let's face it: Wild pigs all over the world have a bad
reputation not only for being mean but also for the considerable
damage they can afflict on protected cash crops and the land in
general. After all, even a small herd of wild pigs can root up
entire crop fields in one night and plow grasslands and
hillsides in search of roots and tubers. Small mud holes become
huge pig wallows and well watered fields new mud holes.
Yet in the Californian oak lands, there is a beneficial side to
all this rooting in the Oak lands that ring the Central Valley.
Careful observation of grassy areas rooted up by wild pigs shows
that native perennial grasses are coming back very fast after
rooting by wild boar. This very rapid regrowth of the perennials
suppresses annual grasses. The Spanish Missions in California
introduced many of the annual grasses, flowers and brushes
around their Missions. From there, the annuals invaded the
grasslands in the Oak lands around the Central Valley
suppressing native perennial species and gradually replacing
them.
Rooting wild pigs dig up the annuals. Now, fast growing
perennial native grasses, flowers, shrubs and brushes can
reclaim their place in the grasslands and brush belts. And they
do so quickly and decisively. Bunch grass
comes back, native
flowers, shrubs and brushes flourish and acorns grow very, very
fast.
This positive effect of wild boar on the environment of Oak
lands in California may not apply to all environments and to all
parts of California. But where it does, it is an important and
good reason to keep wild pigs. True, the boar can devastate crop
fields in one short night; true, they can cause severe damage to
hillsides, trails even to the fences of farmers protecting their
fields. True, they can cost farmers money for protecting their
high yield cash crops.
Yet, their activities favor native plants and help restore
original balances in their habitats. Countless other species of
animals and plants reap the benefits of these activities.
Moreover, wild boar also bring a lot of money into the coffers
of the State and the local economy of cities in the pig belt of
California. Where does that money come from? From hunters like
you! Let us not forget that in our conversations with opponents
of hunting and foes of wild pigs.
About the author:
The author of this article, an accomplished big game hunter,
authored a best-selling book on wild boar hunting in California
as well as many other hunting and outdoor related publications.
For more information see http://wildboarbook.com
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