# data[].attributes.body
This picture is of a simple experiment to show how important plants, specifically grass, are to the foundation of soil. It shows without plants in place, high amounts of dirt washes into the water. With grass in place, it prevents the run off from happening and keeps water cleaner. This ultimately shows that plants are important in our environment and society, because plants help keep our land from eroding and water cleaner.

# data[].attributes.body
I liked this video for unit 2 because it shows very clear illustrations of what the plants energy transformation may look like. The video is easy to understand and has reminders of definitions of terms from the past to help piece it all together in one big picture. Something specific that helped in this video is how they said what all they were going to cover before starting to discuss the material. The video is particularly good at simplifying material without losing important information.

# data[].attributes.body
This blog is titled " Using Georgia Native Plants" and it is about identifying ferns and discusses how to care for and use them in gardens. This blog is specifically covering ferns native to Georgia which is a Pteridophyte, a non-flowering plant. The blog shows a lot of interesting photos and covers the differences in large ferns, running ferns, evergreen ferns and the differences in some are wet tolerant and others are sun tolerant.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Ferns are one of the true non-flowering plants. These ancient plants reproduce by spores - an amazing difference that is worth explaining to your kids/grandkids. Spores are often found on the back of the frond (or leaf if you will); they are clustered into spore cases (sporangia) that are grouped in clusters called sori. Fronds with sori are fertile fronds, and some ferns produce unique fertile fronds that look nothing like the other fronds.

Despite their lack of flowers they provide beauty and versatility in the garden and support wildlife in less noticeable but unique ways. Songbirds use fronds from some of the more delicate ferns like New York fern ( Thelypteris noveboracensis) for nesting material. Insects feed on some ferns while others provide cover for reptiles, amphibians and small mammals.

Georgia has a bunch of indigenous ferns, many of which are perfectly suitable for average garden use, especially in shade/part-shade conditions. The larger ferns offer bold green foliage to be used as a foil against other plants. Small ferns can serve as accent pieces, particularly in tight spaces or at the base of trees. Wet tolerant ferns provide a solution to a difficult area and running ferns fill up spaces that might otherwise be hard to reach. I'd like to introduce you to the possibilities of using native ferns in Georgia.

Large ferns: size is subjective, of course, but these are the native ferns that in my garden grow fairly large: Christmas ( Polystichum Dennstaedtia Dryopteris marginalis), cinnamon () and royal (). punctilobula), marginal wood ( acrostichoides), sensitive (), southern shield/southern wood (), lady (), northern maidenhair (), hay-scented (

Small ferns: petite little wonders to tuck into special spots: ebony spleenwort ( Asplenium Botrychium spp.), and adder's tongue fern ( Ophioglossum vulgatum). platyneuron), brittle fern (), grape (

Running ferns: ferns that will send out rhizomes and increase in size by traveling: netted chain (), New York ( Thelypteris Phegopteris hexagonoptera), and Virginia chain fern (). noveboracensis), sensitive (), broad beech (

Wet tolerant: ferns that don't mind being wet occasionally or always: cinnamon (), royal (), sensitive (), and netted chain ().

Sun tolerant: ferns that can take more sun, especially full-on morning sun, after 1 pm is a little tricky for any of them: southern shield/southern wood (), and the very aggressive bracken fern (). Both of these do run a bit and the more the moisture the more they run!

Specimen: ferns that are especially attractive or unusual: northern maidenhair () and southern maidenhair ( Adiantum Polypodium Pleopeltis polypodioides), and American climbing fern (). virginianum), resurrection fern ( capillus-veneris), rockcap fern (

Evergreen ferns: ferns that retain some fronds year round in the metro Atlanta area: Christmas ( Polystichum Dryopteris Asplenium Polypodium Pleopeltis Botrychium biternatum). polypodioides), and the fall-appearing grapefern ( virginianum), resurrection fern ( platyneuron), rockcap fern ( marginalis), ebony spleenwort ( acrostichoides), marginal wood (

If you're not using native ferns in your garden, give them a try. They are a beautiful and useful addition to almost any condition.

Reference: Field Guide to the Ferns and Other Pteridophytes of Georgia by Lloyd Snyder and James Bruce

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ferns are one of the true non-flowering plants. These ancient plants reproduce by spores - an amazing difference that is worth explaining to your kids/grandkids. Spores are often found on the back of the frond (or leaf if you will); they are clustered into spore cases (sporangia) that are grouped in clusters called sori.

# data[].attributes.body
The arctic polar desert is in danger of global warming, air pollution and oil extraction. The arctic circle has gotten smaller from ice melting. It is important because a lot of plant and animal life flourishes in this environment and it is disappearing. Global warming is rising the natural temperatures and higher temperatures drive the growth of shrubs, which can change soil temperature and prevent snow from reflecting out heat.

# data[].attributes.body
The Neolithic Revolution had a large effect on human population because people settled into permanent dwellings. Humans no longer needed to worry so much about predators or starvation so they began to explore new things. This began the rise of cities and larger establishments. Eventually, they began to discover new technologies that helped them grow even further.

# data[].attributes.body
The beginning of the Third Agricultural Movement was when pesticides began to be used on commercial farms. CDC research has found higher pesticidal metabolites in people, especially children than only a decade ago, and higher levels of disease has risen in locations around the world that use pesticides. This high amount of toxic pesticides pose a threat to public health. This is a serious threat to the public and future use of soil.

# data[].attributes.body
This is the Cinchona plant, it has different species that range from shrubs to trees. Quinine is a chemical extracted from the bark of several of its species, and has been historically used for the treatment of malaria since 1638. All cinchonas are indigenous to the eastern slopes of the Amazonian area of the Andes, but now some species live in specific areas across the world. I think this plant is interesting because malaria is a very serious disease, this is such a strong compound from this plant that now it is only legally available with a prescription.

# data[].attributes.body
The world would look like this in the future if present day agricultural, economic, social, and political practices go unchecked. The current practices are unsustainable and dangerous to various ecosystems around the world. Eventually, without any changes, the air and water will get dirtier from deforestation and harmful agricultural practices such as high volumes of pesticides and herbicides. The climate and particular ecosystems are far different than they were just 150 years ago and is changing more and more as we continue destruction of our planet.