|
|
Article: Saving forests the natural way. (biological control of pest insects and plants) (includes related information)
- Article from:
- American Forests
- Article date:
- January 1, 1990
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1990 American Forests. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
SAVING FORESTS THE NATURAL WAY
Biological control is at least 1,700 years old. As early as the third century A.D., citrus growers in China used predatory ants to forage for insect pests. Today, as they did then, the growers place ant nests in a few of the trees and connect the tree crowns with long bamboo strips, which the brigades of hungry ants use as aerial bridges.
Biological control has come a long way since the third century, thanks partly to the efforts of legions of Forest Service scientists - some of whom have even subjected themselves to personal physical risk while pursuing their research.
The balance of nature turns on the struggle of ...