microrobert
06-14-2012, 12:16 PM
Pollutant turns fly-traps veggie
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/60864000/jpg/_60864279_01049471.jpg
The unlucky insect stuck on the round-leaved sundew plant is a common sight across northern europe and north America but nitrogen pollution could mean you see it less often in the future.
Predator plants may cut back on flies if they can access key nutrients elsewhere, according to research.
Scientists studying carnivorous sundew plants in Swedish bogs found that nitrogen deposition from rain reduced how many insects the plants trapped.
"If there's plenty of nitrogen available to their roots, they don't eat as much" says Dr Jonathan Millett.
BBC Nature - Pollutant turns fly-traps veggie (http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/18416601)
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/60864000/jpg/_60864279_01049471.jpg
The unlucky insect stuck on the round-leaved sundew plant is a common sight across northern europe and north America but nitrogen pollution could mean you see it less often in the future.
Predator plants may cut back on flies if they can access key nutrients elsewhere, according to research.
Scientists studying carnivorous sundew plants in Swedish bogs found that nitrogen deposition from rain reduced how many insects the plants trapped.
"If there's plenty of nitrogen available to their roots, they don't eat as much" says Dr Jonathan Millett.
BBC Nature - Pollutant turns fly-traps veggie (http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/18416601)