A popular European tree, the ash tree, had been threatened by and incurable disease, ash dieback. This disease has been though to be carried on fungi spores blown in from continental Europe. Experts know that as of now, it is impossible to stop the spread of the disease without killing the trees. if the disease spreads on, it is likely that some or 80 million ash trees could be lost from parks and forests all over Europe. To try and support the race to find a cure for the trees, and environmental group has constructed an app for smartphones that can help called Ashtag. This app allows the public to spot and track the spread of the disease. If any people who have this app see a tree that they think is infected, they can take a picture of it with the app, and the picture will be sent to the Forestry Commission so they can investigate it. Some members of this Commission say that it would be much more effective for people outside on walks or relaxing to just report the trees instead of the fuss over the app. For people without smart phones, the Commission has also constructed a way for pictures to be send by email and over the computer too. It is hoped that this app can help with the prevention of the spread of this and 2 other of the UK's tree diseases.
I think that it is sad how these people can't do much about this disease now. Having to watch beautiful trees die and go away would be heartbreaking if that is what you have been seeing all of your life. I hope that these people will be able to find a way to stop the disease someday soon. Who knows, maybe if the disease is not stopped, it could maybe affect our air and possibly pass on diseases to us too.
source:
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/16/world/europe/ashtag-dieback-forest-fears/index.html
You spelled your name wrong. I think it is very interesting that people have found a way to interact technology and environment together. This proves that we are actually trying to help the environment and not trying to destroy it.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe this disease is incurable, and can destroy 80 MILLION ash trees. It's nice that society can interact and help track the disease. This is a perpetually disastrous issue-what if the disease travels to other continents, carried by transportation, and kills ash trees in North America as well? The whole ash tree species could become extinct!
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