Latest news with #RebeccaRooney
Hamilton Spectator
17-07-2025
- Science
- Hamilton Spectator
Enlisting drones in the fight against phragmites
Drone technology is the latest weapon in the fight against invasive species of plants, particularly phragmites. Researchers at the University of Waterloo have been investigating a new method for spreading herbicide to combat phragmites, also known as common reed. Phragmites has been called Canada's worst invasive plant, causing problems for humans and ecosystems alike. 'But especially in wetlands, preventing people from accessing their docks and affecting water quality, affecting habitat for birds and for turtles, and displacing our native plants,' said Rebecca Rooney, an associate professor and one of the authors of a paper looking at the use of drones to combat phragmites. Rooney described trying to walk through phragmites like 'trying to walk through wicker furniture,' noting the reeds can grow up to four metres tall, which is the height of a single-storey home. They also pose a fire risk and can block sightlines on highways and county roads, making the control of phragmites spread a vital yet costly endeavour. 'We're spending millions of dollars in Ontario alone trying to control it,' said Rooney, pointing to the likes of the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund, with the province announcing last year some $16 million over three years to combat invasive species. 'Which is just a drop in the bucket of what's needed to eradicate this plant.' This has led researchers to explore the use of a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) to apply herbicide, with a reported effectiveness of 99 percent. They observed a short-term decline in plant diversity after the RPAS applications, but the native species reappeared in treated areas within a year, the research found. Rebecca Rooney/University of Waterloo. 'So being efficient is important. We're not spending as much money because we can do it faster, more precisely, and more effectively. I feel that's a really important step in managing it sustainably in Ontario,' added Rooney. 'We wanted to look at ways we could try to manage this aggressive, invasive grass more precisely and in a way that minimizes the amount of environmental impact.' The current method of spreading herbicides in wetlands has raised numerous challenges and difficulties. Using ground access with heavy equipment can potentially trample wildlife and desirable vegetation. RPAS technology provides more convenient access to spraying the weeds than with ground-control methods, with less risk of trampling or disturbance, the UW researchers note. In the past, helicopters were also used to spread herbicides, but this method made it difficult to achieve precision and created off-target problems. 'It's important to avoid the potential for herbicide drift and any collateral damage to native vegetation, which is especially valuable in ecologically sensitive wetlands,' said Rooney. 'The precision from RPAS applications may help land managers to minimize off-target herbicide exposure, reducing impacts to surrounding vegetation and improving conditions for native plant recovery.' That's why they are trying to use innovation to combat the difficulties that come with doing it on foot and with machinery, as in the past. 'We were being innovative in terms of applying a new tool to an old problem and coming up with an improvement in terms of how effective it is and how efficient it is.' Pesticides are closely regulated, and the researchers obtained special research authorization from the Pest Management Regulatory Authority. The hope is that this study will lead to a new form of invasive species control that can be used more widely. There are many different types of herbicides, but the one that this study is working with is called s habitat Aqua, which is an Imazapyr-based herbicide. This is safe to use over water. They had received authorization to research the RPAS method. The goal was to show that this method can be effective and safe, and then provide that data to BASF, the manufacturer of Imazapyr. They're using it to submit to the Pest Management Regulatory Authority, and they can be approved for wider use, said Rooney. 'This approach also holds promise for accelerating ecological recovery in wetland habitats. Future research should focus on long-term native vegetation recovery and quantify the accuracy of RPAS-based herbicide applications to minimize off-target damage to native vegetation in wetlands.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Farming Today 29/4/25 Energy infrastructure, growing pulses for animal feed, horticulture report
One of the government's major objectives is to deliver greener energy across the UK; but to do that, thousands of acres of farmland and wider countryside are being affected, as electricity generated from offshore windfarms and solar developments is routed to the national grid. In a new report, the Institution of Engineering and Technology has outlined the specific costs of pylons and cables buried underground and on the seabed. The report estimates in the next decade there will need to be five times more onshore transmission infrastructure than has been built in the last 30 years, and four times the amount that currently exists offshore. All week we're looking into pulses. Many of us eat peas, beans or lentils as part of our diet. Pulses also make up a major part of animal feed in the form of soya. That comes mostly from South America where rainforest is often cleared to grow it. The Nitrogen Climate Smart Programme is a project looking to replace imported soya with home grown pulses. We visit a farm taking part in trials to grow pulses. The UK economy could get a boost if everyone ate more UK-grown fruit and veg according to a new report by the Green Alliance, a think tank which works with environmental groups. It says we currently import five sixths of our fruit and half of our veg but expanding horticultural production could add £2.3 billion to the national economy and create more than 20 thousand jobs. Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney
BBC News
12-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Farming Today 12/04/2025 Farming Today This Week: Salmon Farming, Wildfire and Trade
Salmon farming has long been plagued by questions over its environmental impact and welfare concerns for farmed fish and the wild fish that live nearby. Charlotte Smith asks if those concerns might be reduced if the industry moves into deeper, wilder waters. There's also a look at illegal meat imports and the resources that the Port of Dover has to police the arrival of suspect foods on British shores. Producer: Rebecca Rooney
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts propose wide-reaching new measures to combat invisible scourge plauging the Great Lakes: '[This] would improve our understanding'
The Great Lakes form one of the world's largest freshwater systems, and now an advisory board is working to monitor their health by measuring the amount of microplastics in their waters as they seek solutions to ensure their survival. The International Joint Commission's Great Lakes Science Advisory Board has proposed a regional coordination plan to monitor microplastics in The Great Lakes, according to a report from Buffalo Rising. "Adopting microplastics as an indicator of ecological health would improve our understanding of their prevalence and environmental impacts," Karen Kidd, a member of the board's Science Priority Committee, told Buffalo Rising. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. According to the Alliance for the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes have "stunningly high" quantities of microplastics in their waters, and over 22 million pounds of plastic pollution end up in those lakes every year. The Environmental Working Group shared a report that showed 85% of fish in three Great Lakes tributaries had microplastics in their digestive tracts. Microplastics — particles no more than 5 millimeters in length — pose ongoing health risks to humans and wildlife, with the long-term effects still being studied. Researchers recently found that microplastics became lodged in the brains of mice and restricted blood flow, impacting their movements. Other studies have shown that microplastic exposure has been connected to cancer, dementia, reproductive difficulties, and other health problems. A 2019 study from the University of Newcastle, Australia, stated that, on average, people ingest about a credit-card-sized amount of plastic every week. Monitoring the amount of microplastics in The Great Lakes is a step forward in managing and hopefully mitigating the damage they can cause. "Plastic is a part of modern life and pervasive throughout the Great Lakes ecosystem," Rebecca Rooney, Canadian co-chair of the Science Advisory Board's Research Coordination Committee, told Buffalo Rising. "Yet, the monitoring and reporting on microplastics is largely project-based. The board offers actionable tools to help the Canadian and U.S. governments take a common and routine approach to monitoring microplastics." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
