California's Velcro Crop Under Challenge

by Ken Umbach California's important Velcro crop, vital to the clothing, footwear, and sporting goods industries, has been severely stressed by drought, disease, and pests. Background Velcro®, an engineered crop, consists of two distinct strains: hooks and loops. California's climate and soil conditions make the state an ideal venue for and successful producer of both strains of Velcro. For competitive and industrial confidentiality reasons, of course, the crop is not widely highlighted in crop reports. The Issues Three issues have conspired to threaten and diminish the crop in California's southern San Joaquin Valley, especially drought-affected Kern County.Dry and windy conditions have caused hook and loop spores to commingle even across widely spaced fields, resulting in tangled Velcro bolls combining both strains and unprocessable by any known means. Status As the chart and table below so starkly show, the combined assaults on the Velcro crop have had marked effects. Recommendations

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Ethics for Students Global rating average: 0.0 out of 50.00.00.00.00.0 These sites provide background knowledge for students on the importance of copyright. Ignoring copyright can lead to plagiarism or piracy which are both presented through videos, writing activities, case studies, and simulation. Lesson plans are provided to carry out or adapt activities. Grades Links Brain Pop This site has some free information to use with students. Request State Standards Save The Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus Help Save The ENDANGERED From EXTINCTION! The Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus Rare photo of the elusive tree octopus The Pacific Northwest tree octopus (Octopus paxarbolis) can be found in the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula on the west coast of North America. Their habitat lies on the Eastern side of the Olympic mountain range, adjacent to Hood Canal. An intelligent and inquisitive being (it has the largest brain-to-body ratio for any mollusk), the tree octopus explores its arboreal world by both touch and sight. Map of estimated tree octopus maximum range, including spawning waters Tree octopuses have eyesight comparable to humans. The reproductive cycle of the tree octopus is still linked to its roots in the waters of the Puget Sound from where it is thought to have originated. Why It's Endangered Tree Octopus hat from 1923(Click to enlarge.) The possibility of Pacific Northwest tree octopus extinction is not an unwarranted fear. How You Can Help More Tree Octopus Information

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