Is the New York Times getting stupider? Why do they keep publishing pieces that lack even the most basic understanding about how ecosystems work? Granted, this is an opinion piece, but it's a foolish opinion.
First, the author mocks entomologist Douglas Tallamy for pointing out that a native oak in his yard supported as many as 19 species of caterpillars, while his neighbor's Bradford Pear hosted just one. "Birds, Dr. Tallamy notes, nourish themselves on these native caterpillars. To follow his logic, planting a Bradford pear would be tantamount to avicide," writes the author, Gabriel Popkin.
No logic for Mr. Popkin, though. Instead, he turns to an emotional appeal on behalf of Bradford pears, because (a) they are alive and breathing, (b) they cast a shadow, and (c) they are better than concrete. (Seriously! This is what he argues.)
Bradford pears are out-of-control invasives. When they crowd out native plants, they take food out of the mouths of baby birds. No food for the babies now means no adult birds later. Same with those caterpillars: if the caterpillars of 19 different species can't find food they're capable of eating, 19 different kinds of butterflies and moths will disappear from the landscape.
This is basic stuff. I don't think Mr. Popkin would try to defend Bradford pears if he understood it.
First, the author mocks entomologist Douglas Tallamy for pointing out that a native oak in his yard supported as many as 19 species of caterpillars, while his neighbor's Bradford Pear hosted just one. "Birds, Dr. Tallamy notes, nourish themselves on these native caterpillars. To follow his logic, planting a Bradford pear would be tantamount to avicide," writes the author, Gabriel Popkin.
No logic for Mr. Popkin, though. Instead, he turns to an emotional appeal on behalf of Bradford pears, because (a) they are alive and breathing, (b) they cast a shadow, and (c) they are better than concrete. (Seriously! This is what he argues.)
Bradford pears are out-of-control invasives. When they crowd out native plants, they take food out of the mouths of baby birds. No food for the babies now means no adult birds later. Same with those caterpillars: if the caterpillars of 19 different species can't find food they're capable of eating, 19 different kinds of butterflies and moths will disappear from the landscape.
This is basic stuff. I don't think Mr. Popkin would try to defend Bradford pears if he understood it.
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