[S0122017]

That sucks, it seems that tree lasting longer than the Egyptian culture only to be wiped out by locals.

[S0122017]

ping

[mtbopfuyn]

"You drive south from Aswan for 180 kilometres then turn off the road and drive into the desert for 50 kilometres. The stuff on the ground isn't sand but like fine dust - one wheelspin and you're stuck."

That's nothing. Ever been to West Texas and New Mexico? So, scientists have known this tree is endangered for 200 years, yet none have bothered to protect it or transplant it in a nursery setting.

[alwaysconservative]

Around 10,000 years ago, the climate grew drier and the vegetation began to retreat until all that was left were small patches of the most drought-tolerant trees and a few grasses at spots where groundwater comes close to the surface. "In pharaonic times it was still much greener and there was less desert. The places where the palms are now are what's left of the ancient vegetation," says Haitham Ibrahim, an ecologist at South Valley University in Aswan.

May I be the first to say it? (Ahem) It's Bush's fault!

[stuartcr]

He must be a very old hand at this...

[SunkenCiv]

I've heard Egyptologists have really hairy palms.

Thanks S0122017, will ping when I get home. :')

[blam]

Neat Story.

We had a story a couple weeks ago about the Israeli's 'bringing back' an extinct tree, a palm too, I think.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks S0122017 and Blam.

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.

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[Dustbunny]

Why can't the palm be grown from seed in a nursery and then planted in various areas or sold to home owners for their property.

[satchmodog9]

With climate change bringing even more extended dry periods, the tree's future is hanging in the balance. "We've had a very dry 10 years. Four of the seedlings have died since the 1998 survey," says Ibrahim. "If we lose a few more, what then?"

Good grief. Global warming and Bush are now making the desert well, a desert. Desertification is its own process and these frauds who make these claims are just another part of the big lie.

[Mr. K]

""In pharaonic times it was still much greener and there was less desert"

GLOBAL WARMING - BUSH'S FAULT