04-12-2024, 06:05 AM
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#19
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Live free or die hard
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Durango, CO
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I feel like Cliff Claven with these new AI chats.
Positive Effects:
- Nutrient Boom: Cicada carcasses decompose rapidly, providing a massive influx of nutrients (particularly nitrogen) into the soil. This benefits trees and other plants in the area.
- Food Bonanza: Cicadas are a feast for many animals. Birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and even other insects gorge themselves, leading to population increases for some predators.
- Soil Aeration: As cicadas emerge from underground, their tunnels help aerate the soil and promote better water flow.
Negative Effects:
- Potential for Plant Damage: Young trees and saplings can be damaged by the sheer weight of numerous cicadas or excessive egg-laying by females. This is usually a temporary setback, particularly for older, established trees.
- Noise Pollution: The collective mating calls of millions of cicadas can be incredibly loud, exceeding 100 decibels. This can be stressful for humans and some wildlife.
Overall Impact:
Broadly speaking, the ecological impact of a cicada emergence is considered to be largely positive. While some temporary downsides exist, they're outweighed by the long-term benefits to the ecosystem. Here's why:
- Resilience: Established trees generally recover quickly from minor cicada damage.
- Predator Balance: Cicadas provide a temporary food source, but the predator populations adjust and return to normal soon after.
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Posts: 26,221
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