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Human activities have undeniable and often disastrous consequences for flora and fauna. Many animal species are forced to migrate because of the degradation of their habitats. However, plants do not have the option of moving to avoid disruption to their environment. So they have to find ways of adapting.
In the latest article in La Conversation Canada’s boreal forest series, Maxime Thomas, a doctoral student in environmental sciences at UQAT and his colleagues discuss these adaptation mechanisms.
In particular, they present the case of Labrador tea, a boreal plant of cultural importance to Indigenous communities. “The leaves of Labrador tea are used as an infusion to treat many ailments, such as osteoarthritis, diabetes and kidney problems,” they write. “These virtues are attributable to the antioxidants present in large quantities in Labrador tea leaves: flavonoids.”
However, the production of these molecules varies in response to certain disturbances in the habitat. In other words, the medicinal and nutritional properties of Labrador tea change as the plant adapts to disturbances in its habitat. It’s a fine example of the invisible effects that human activities can have on nature.
Also today:
All the best,
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Lake surrounding a mining site in Northern Québec.
(Maxime Thomas)
Maxime Thomas, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT); Hugo Asselin, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT); Mebarek Lamara, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT); Nicole Fenton, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)
Human activities can affect plants and have consequences for the human populations that consume them.
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Streets are flooded in Kherson, Ukraine, after the Kakhovka dam was blown up by Russian forces. While the war in Ukraine is largely conventional, the use of paramilitary forces by both sides could escalate hostilities in the months to come.
(AP Photo/Libkos)
James Horncastle, Simon Fraser University
Both Russia and Ukraine are using paramilitary forces in their enduring conflict. But employing such forces poses serious risks for both countries.
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Many organizations have started divesting from fossil fuels and re-directing their funds toward ethical and sustainable investing.
(Shutterstock)
Andy Hira, Simon Fraser University
A new book investigates how investment money managers decide what is and is not ethical when it comes to socially responsible investing.
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Canada has a productivity problem and its economy is falling behind other developed countries as a result. What’s going on?
(Shutterstock)
Barry Cross, Queen's University, Ontario
Canada needs to improve the way we work. Improving our productivity ranking will take years, but by taking steps in education, in the private sector and in government, we can achieve national wealth.
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Stopping misinformation before it spreads is important.
(Shutterstock)
Laks V.S. Lakshmanan, University of British Columbia
To restrict the spread of fake news on social media platforms, researchers designed an algorithm that can flag potential misinformation.
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Lac entourant un site minier au Nord-du-Québec.
(Maxime Thomas)
Maxime Thomas, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT); Hugo Asselin, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT); Mebarek Lamara, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT); Nicole Fenton, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)
Les activités humaines peuvent affecter les plantes, ce qui a des conséquences pour les populations humaines qui les consomment.
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Culture + Society
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Stefan Szymanski, University of Michigan
French soccer star Karim Benzema will join Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League, and others may follow.
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Health
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Richard McGee, University of Newcastle; Michelle Welsford, McMaster University
Hot water, cold water, rubbing with sand? What our new review says works best to treat jellyfish stings.
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